2024 Tang Prize Celebrates Revolutionary Biopharma Discoveries, a Nod to Game-Changing Diabetes and Obesity Treatments

On September 27, the Taipei Performing Arts Center became the stage for the 2024 Tang Prize Award Ceremony, where three pioneering scientists, Drs. Joel Habener, Svetlana Mojsov, and Jens Juul Holst, were awarded for their transformative work on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Their research and its subsequent clinical applications have not only improved the lives of millions of patients but also reshaped the global healthcare market.

Revolutionizing Diabetes Treatment Through GLP-1’s Discovery and Its Active Form

In the 1980s, Dr. Joel Habener, a professor at Harvard Medical School and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, made a discovery that laid the foundation for future treatments of diabetes and obesity. While studying the preproglucagon gene in anglerfish, Dr. Habener identified two peptide fragments, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GLP-2, alongside the better-known hormone glucagon. His work suggested that GLP-1 could play a significant role in regulating insulin secretion, a key factor in controlling blood sugar levels.

Dr. Svetlana Mojsov, working in Dr. Habener’s lab, further advanced the research by identifying GLP-1’s active form, GLP-1(7-37). This discovery was a crucial moment in the field, as it confirmed the peptide’s potential as a therapeutic agent. Dr. Mojsov synthesized GLP-1(7-37) and developed experimental techniques to detect and analyze different forms of GLP in the pancreas. These techniques became the basis for developing GLP-1-based therapies, which have since changed the lives of patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Meanwhile, in Denmark, Dr. Jens Juul Holst conducted parallel research at the University of Copenhagen, isolating GLP-1(1-37) and GLP-1(7-36) amide. His work demonstrated that GLP-1(7-36) amide, the form naturally occurring in humans, was the active incretin hormone responsible for promoting insulin secretion. This finding provided additional clarity on GLP-1’s biological role and therapeutic potential.

GLP-1 Research Poised to Address the Overlapping Challenges of Diabetes and Obesity 

Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin, leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and, over time, causing severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage. At the same time, obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing global health issues, contributing to various life-threatening conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

The identification of GLP-1’s role in promoting insulin secretion offered an innovative solution to the intertwined health problems of diabetes and obesity. Research by Dr. Habener and Dr. Mojsov demonstrated that GLP-1(7-37) stimulated insulin production not only in healthy individuals but also in patients with type 2 diabetes, helping them better regulate their blood sugar levels and leading to its use as a therapeutic drug. Simultaneously, Dr. Holst’s findings highlighted GLP-1’s appetite-suppressing properties, as clinical studies revealed that patients treated with GLP-1-based therapies often experienced significant weight loss.The discovery of GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus offered an explanation for this effect, reinforcing GLP-1’s crucial role in combating obesity.

The successful translation of GLP-1 research into clinical therapies represents one of the most remarkable achievements in modern medicine. Today, GLP-1-based therapies are widely regarded as a key tool in the treatment of both diabetes and obesity. There are currently at least 13 GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), providing patients with effective treatment options.

Honoring the 2024 Tang Prize Laureates for Transformative Contributions to Global Health

In today’s therapeutic landscape, companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly concurrently revolutionized diabetes and obesity treatments through the same use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including tirzepatide and semaglutide. However, the research led by Dr. Habener, Mojsov, and Holst laid the foundation for this progress with the research findings that preceded the massive weight loss market boom. The Tang Prize award reflects not only the significance of their basic scientific research but also their success in translating these findings into real-world clinical applications that continue to benefit patients on a global scale.

More than 800 international guests, along with key figures from industry, government, and academia, celebrated the laureates for their monumental contributions to medicine, marking a global achievement. The 2024 Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science honors these three visionary scientists but also serves as a reminder of the power of scientific discovery to improve human health. As GLP-1-based therapies evolve and expand, this medical revolution will have a lasting impact, inspiring new research and offering hope to patients worldwide for generations to come.

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Denisse Sandoval