Scheele-priset och vad hände sen Bob Langer?

Sedan 1961 har Scheele-priset, som delas ut av Apotekarsocieteten, hyllat internationellt framstående forskare inom läkemedelsområdet. Bland pristagarna finns några av världens mest inflytelserika vetenskapliga pionjärer – forskare vars arbete inte bara förändrat vår förståelse av biologi och kemi, utan också räddat liv och format framtidens mediciner.

Vi frågar pristagaren om vad som hänt med deras forskning sedan priset, hur de ser på Scheele-prisets betydelse – både personligen och vetenskapligt – och hur priset och symposiet kan stärka den internationella forskningen i framtiden.

Robert S. Langer, David H. Koch Institute Professor vid Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The Scientific Dreamer Who Changed the World – and Was Honored in Sweden

When Robert Langer received the prestigious Scheele Award, it wasn’t just another accolade for one of the most cited scientists in the world. It was a recognition from a science-loving nation he holds in high esteem – and a confirmation of something far greater: that bold scientific innovation can truly change the world. And his work has done just that.

From the Lab to Billions of Arms
As early as the 1970s, Langer began exploring the possibility of controlled and targeted drug delivery. What was then groundbreaking research into nanoparticles and drug formulations has since become the foundation of some of the most important advances in modern medicine. Two standout examples:

• Onpattro – the first approved siRNA drug, developed by Alnylam, where Langer served on the founding Scientific Advisory Board.
• Moderna – whose mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine saved millions of lives during the pandemic. Langer co-founded the company.

To say his research has had a global impact is almost an understatement. His work has touched the lives of people across the globe in very real and tangible ways.

The Scheele Award – More Than a Trophy
For Langer, the Scheele Award carried deep personal meaning. Being recognized by the Swedish scientific community meant a great deal. And the impact didn’t stop there – the award helped further raise the visibility of his work, opening doors to new collaborations and further honors, including the Lipid Science Prize, another major Swedish award.

But the Scheele Award isn’t just about celebrating an individual. It serves as a powerful signal to the global scientific community: that basic science, persistence, and innovation matter – and can lead to real-world solutions. As Langer himself puts it:

”It sends a message to young scientists about how important basic science and research can be in creating new medicines that save and improve lives.”

The Next Scientific Frontier: Precision at the Molecular Level
Despite his extraordinary success, Langer isn’t slowing down. Today, he sees targeted drug delivery as one of the field’s most pressing challenges – how to get the right drug to the right place in the body with pinpoint accuracy. His team is now using artificial intelligence and high-throughput combinatorial approaches to discover new receptors and delivery strategies.

Dream Big – A Message to the Next Generation
Perhaps what makes Langer so remarkable – and so inspiring – is his own philosophy:

”Dream big dreams that can change the world – and don’t give up on those dreams even if other scientists and funding agencies say they won’t come true.”

With over 1,400 patents and more than 1,500 published articles, Langer hasn’t just dreamed big – he’s turned those dreams into global realities.

The Scheele Award’s Broader Impact
The Scheele Award occupies a unique space in the world: it connects scientific excellence with societal relevance. Through laureates like Robert Langer, the award highlights those who not only break new ground in the lab – but also reach all the way to the patient.

As Langer suggests, increasing the international visibility of the Scheele Award could further amplify its impact. But even today, it already plays a crucial role in promoting translational research, fostering innovation, and encouraging scientists worldwide to pursue work that truly matters.

Om Robert S. Langer
Robert S. Langer är en amerikansk kemiteknikingenjör och bioteknolog, internationellt erkänd för sina banbrytande insatser inom läkemedelsleverans och vävnadsteknik. Med en enastående akademisk karriär vid MIT, ett enormt inflytande genom publiceringar, patent och entreprenörskap, samt en rad höga utmärkelser och erkännanden – framstår han som en av de mest inflytelserika och produktiva forskarna inom medicinsk ingenjörsvetenskap i modern tid.