CRIION Prize 2026 Honors Pioneers in Cancer Medicine and Research

The CRIION Joachim Frank Prize 2026 has been awarded to leading researchers in cancer medicine. The ceremony took place at Haus zur Lieben Hand, with Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Joachim Frank presenting the honours. The prize recognises work that directly improves treatment for cancer patients. The Collaborative Research Institute Intelligent Oncology (CRIION) and the BioThera – Mertelsmann Foundation established the award in 2025. It is given annually to researchers whose contributions advance cancer care. This year’s total prize money amounts to €25,000.

In the Clinical Medicine category, the joint winners were Prof. Dr. Jürgen Finke, PD Dr. Florian Scherer, PD Dr. Elisabeth Schorb, and Prof. Dr. Gerald Illerhaus. Their research set new treatment standards for rare and aggressive lymphomas affecting the central nervous system.

Prof. Dr. Robert Zeiser received the prize in the Biomedical Research category. His work focuses on making stem cell transplants safer and more effective. It also helps control severe rejection reactions that can follow such procedures. The awards highlight groundbreaking research that enhances cancer treatment. The winning studies provide tangible benefits, from better transplant outcomes to advanced therapies for rare lymphomas. The prize underscores the ongoing commitment to improving patient care through scientific innovation.