Hon. Enterprize Professor Andrew Wilks awarded Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation for inventing and commercialising a drug called momelotinib
Prof Andrew Wilks, Honorary Enterprise Professor in the Dept Biochemistry & Pharmacology, and Dr Chris Burns were recognised by the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, at the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science Awards ceremony.
The prize recognises their outstanding contribution to drug discovery and development in Australia.
Prof Wilks led the Australian team that invented momelotinib, a drug used to treat a rare form of blood cancer, myelofibrosis.
Video: Prof Andrew Wilks and Dr Chris Burns explain their drug discovery.
Momelotinib was approved in broad blood cancer use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration last year, a rare and noteworthy achievement for an Australian team. The drug is now being considered for inclusion in the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
This is an excellent example of Australian biomedical science research being translated into medicines with global impact.
Image: (L-R) Prof Andrew Wilks, Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Dr Chris Burns
We congratulate Prof Wilks and his team on this prestigous award, and gaining deserved recognition for their research and breakthrough discovery of momelotinib.
Learn more
Australian Government, 8 Oct 2024, ‘Introducing the recipients of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science’
Australian Government, 8 Oct 2024, ‘2024 Prime Minister’s Proze for Innovation’
School of Biomedical Sciences, 19 Sep 2023, ‘US FDA approval achieved for an Australian cancer drug invented by Hon Enterprise Prof Andrew Wilks in the 1990’s’
The Age, 19 Sep 2023, ‘Australian-made cancer drug get billion-dollar US FDA approval’