PR89071

PARIS, April 20, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Whilst the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel Prize is widely recognised today as

one of the most prestigious European awards in the field of cancer research,

many people are unaware of the story behind it. It is the story of Léopold and

Alice Griffuel, a couple of philanthropists whose generosity led to the

creation of the foundation in 1970. Since then, the Fondation ARC Léopold

Griffuel has honoured the work of researchers who advance science and improve

treatment for cancer patients. This year we are celebrating the 49th Fondation

ARC Léopold Griffuel Prize to honour prestigious international researchers for

their scientific achievements. The three 2021 award winners will share a total

of (EUR)300,000 to pursue their research and take it a step further to improve

patient outcomes!

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The promotion of the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel Prize is overseen by the

French Embassies.

Canadian Michael Taylor was presented with the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel

Prize for basic research at the French Embassy in Canada by Ambassador Kareen

Rispal. The German researcher Stefan Pfister was honoured at the French Embassy

in Germany, in the presence of Ambassador Anne-Marie Descôtes. Lastly,

Professor Hiroyuki Mano received his award on Friday 2 April from the French

Ambassador to Japan, Mr Philippe Setton.

Awarding creativity, perseverance and patient impact

Created in 1970 thanks to the legacy of physician and lawyer philanthropist

Léopold Griffuel through his widow Alice, the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel

Prize rewards creativity, perseverance and continuity in cancer research each

year. More than a mark of recognition, this is a world-renowned prize which has

already twice been the final hurdle before the Nobel Prize.

"It is important to highlight that winners of the Fondation ARC Léopold

Griffuel Prize are selected from 12 countries. The disease is global, and

solutions to it are too. It is our role at the Fondation ARC Léopold to

encourage this research wherever progress is being made. Our aim is to break

down barriers between researchers across the world and to promote the

development of new relationships between them. This prize is awarded to those

who are advancing research, thereby showcasing their work. And it is their

progress which will then enable other researchers to take that extra step that

will allow us, collectively, to beat cancer" explains Claude Tendil, President

of the Fondation ARC for cancer research.

To date, 58 researchers of 14 different nationalities, all from the most

prestigious international institutions, have been honoured by a committee of

international experts under the auspices of the Fondation ARC for Cancer

Research.

The 2021 Léopold Griffuel Prize rewards scientific advances that give cause for

hope

For its 49th edition, a jury of 6 international experts, chaired by Professor

Hugues de Thé, met to select the 2021 winners.

In basic research, Professors Michael Taylor and Stefan Pfister were honoured

for their contribution to the molecular understanding of paediatric tumours and

their clinical management.

In particular, researcher Stefan Pfister has made it possible for relapsed

children to have access to extremely detailed molecular analyses, so that they

can be directed towards very specific treatment. Professor Michael Taylor has

been able to decipher important mechanisms in the genesis and spread of

medulloblastomas and ependymomas, which are among the most common malignant

brain tumours in children. His work has made it possible to distinguish between

different forms of these cancers, which have different prognoses.

Finally, Professor Hiroyuki Mano won the first prize in translational and

clinical research for his work in identifying a new form of lung cancer and for

his contribution to the development of an effective treatment. His work has

made it possible to develop treatments that target this anomaly effectively.

Public Relations #FHCOM frederic.henry@fhcom.net +33 01 55 34 24 24

SOURCE: Fondation ARC pour la recherche sur le cancer