Announced today by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), this year´s highly prestigious ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award honors the outstanding contributions of José Baselga, Physician-in-Chief at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, in advancing cancer science, treatment and care for countless patients across the globe.
As Past President of both the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), President of VHIO’s Internal Scientific Committee as well as the FERO Foundation – both of which he founded in 1996 and 2001 respectively, José is undoubtedly one of the world’s most renowned trailblazers in oncology. It is thanks to his inspired vision and tireless dedication aimed at developing more effective and precise anti-cancer therapies that these treatments have subsequently provided fresh hope and improved outcomes for numerous individuals suffering from cancer.
“On behalf of all of us at VHIO, I would like to congratulate José for this most prestigious recognition. As an eminent, international leader in oncology who is highly respected the world over, José is arguably godfather of translational cancer research and has consequently advanced precision cancer science and medicine for the benefit of patients at home, throughout Europe and at international level”, observes Josep Tabernero, Director of VHIO and President-elect of ESMO.
“It´s not just his breathtaking drive and talent as both a researcher and physician that continues to inspire us all. It´s also about his generosity as a human being, his amazing mentorship, and his ability to encourage and support others in their scientific endeavors. Having worked alongside José I have been extremely fortunate to have witnessed and benefited from all these exceptional qualities – as have many of us here at VHIO. As such, I could not think of a more worthy recipient of this Award”, he concludes.
To discover more please see today´s announcement issued by ESMO:
Source: The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award honours José Baselga
Lugano, 20 July 2017 – The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has honoured José Baselga with the ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award for his crucial role in breast cancer drug development.
The award will be presented during the opening session of the ESMO 2017 Congress (8-12 September, Madrid, Spain).
The ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2006 to recognise international research by individuals or teams who have demonstrated commitment to cancer research and education.
Baselga is the Physician-in-Chief at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
His long-standing research interests are in the development of targeted agents for the treatment of breast cancer, as well as strategies to overcome mechanisms of resistance.
His pivotal laboratory and clinical studies led to the approval of trastuzumab, pertuzumab and everolimus, among other therapies, and his current work focuses on targeting PI3K and deciphering mechanisms of resistance to anti-oestrogen therapies.
On receiving the award, Baselga said he was “deeply touched” by the honour. “This highly prestigious award has a unique personal dimension since I have had the privilege to serve this wonderful and vibrant society for many years and I fully support its critical role.”
On behalf of the ESMO Fellowship and Award Committee, Christoph Zielinski called Baselga ‘a true giant of modern oncology.’ “Baselga has not only contributed immensely to clinical research, but has had remarkable success in the translation of that science into patient benefit.”
Baselga was previously Chief of the Division of Haematology / Oncology, Associate Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Centre, and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
He is also past president of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), past president of ESMO, and a past member of the Board of Directors for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
In accepting the award, Baselga acknowledged all his collaborators and team members. “Oncology, like no other field, is defined by its collaborative nature and I have been blessed by having worked over the years with wonderful trainees and clinical and laboratory scientists. This award goes to them.”
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Notes to Editors
References
The ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to José Baselga during the Opening Session of the ESMO 2017 Congress, on 8 September 2017, 12:00-13:20 (CEST) in the Madrid Auditorium of the Ifema, Madrid.
Info on all ESMO awards is available here: http://www.esmo.org/Career-Development/Awards
About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With more than 16,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 130 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. We are committed to supporting our members to develop and advance in a fast-evolving professional environment.
