FNIH Names David Liu, PhD, as Recipient of Inaugural Montrone-Seigel Prize in Biomedical Sciences

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NORTH BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 23, 2025--

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) will award the inaugural Montrone-Seigel Prize in Biomedical Sciences to molecular biologist David Liu, PhD. He and his team have developed innovative gene editing technologies that are being used worldwide to study and treat genetic diseases, including in at least 23 clinical trials targeting cancer, blood diseases, metabolic disorders and other conditions.

“We are delighted with the selection of this year’s award winner,” said Fred Seigel, who established this award with fellow FNIH Board of Directors member Paul Montrone, PhD. “Dr. Liu’s exceptional, innovative work in gene editing technologies has the potential to transform lives. This award is an opportunity to recognize his contributions to scientific discoveries and support further biomedical breakthroughs.”

Dr. Liu and his lab developed new technologies — base editing and prime editing — that can precisely and safely correct disease-causing DNA mutations in cells, animals and patients. These tools have already shown promise for treating inherited blood disorders such as sickle-cell disease, certain forms of leukemia, an inherited form of high cholesterol and a serious liver and lung disease affecting 100,000 people in the United States alone. The team has pioneered methods to accelerate the discovery of new drugs and proteins, including techniques that use DNA to generate vast libraries of drug-like molecules. They also have developed technologies to rapidly and continuously evolve proteins with new functions, including those used in state-of-the-art base editors and prime editors.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition of the tireless efforts and remarkable talents of the students, postdocs and collaborators who have contributed to our work,” Dr. Liu said. “I’m especially grateful to Paul Montrone and Fred Seigel for establishing this award, which I hope will serve as a reminder of the impact of biomedical research at a critical time in our country when science has never offered so much promise to save and improve lives.”

Dr. Liu is the Richard Merkin Professor and Director of the Merkin Institute for Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Vice Chair of the Faculty at the Broad Institute, the Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences at Harvard University and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.

The Montrone-Seigel Prize includes a $100,000 honorarium and recognizes outstanding scientists whose basic, clinical or translational research programs promise to achieve breakthroughs that advance human health and well-being.

The FNIH is grateful for the work of the jury of distinguished biomedical research leaders who selected Dr. Liu as the 2025 Montrone-Seigel Prize recipient. The jury is co-chaired by Carl Nathan, MD, R.A. Rees Pritchett Professor, Chairman, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College; and Cynthia Wolberger, PhD, Professor and Director, Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Liu will receive the award at the 13 th Annual FNIH Awards Ceremony on Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The 2025 Paul-Gallin Trailblazer Prize for Physician-Scientists; the Charles A. Sanders, MD, Partnership Award; and the Kovler Prize for Trust in Life Science Journalism also will be presented during the ceremony.

The FNIH gratefully acknowledges its Annual Awards Ceremony Premier Sponsors, Fred and Donna Seigel and Perry Steiner and Vanessa Kay, and our Visionary Sponsors, Gerberding-Rose Family Fund; Nina Kjellson and Sandy Zweifach; Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation; Paul and Sandra Montrone; Steven and Jann Paul, MD; Pfizer, Inc. and Weiss Family Trust. For more information about the Montrone-Seigel Prize, visit FNIH.org/MontroneSeigel.

About the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) builds public-private partnerships that connect leading biomedical scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with their counterparts in life sciences companies, academia, patient organizations, foundations and regulatory agencies (including the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency). Through team science, the FNIH solves complex health challenges and accelerates breakthroughs for patients, regardless of who they are or what health threats they face. The FNIH contributes to the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and potential cures; advances global health; and helps train the next generations of scientists. Established by Congress in 1990 to support the mission of the NIH, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information about the FNIH, please visit fnih.org.

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CONTACT: Kathy Scarbeck

FNIH

301-827-6648

[email protected]

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MARYLAND

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RESEARCH GENETICS CLINICAL TRIALS OTHER HEALTH BIOTECHNOLOGY GENERAL HEALTH HEALTH SCIENCE ONCOLOGY OTHER SCIENCE

SOURCE: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

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PUB: 09/23/2025 08:07 AM/DISC: 09/23/2025 08:06 AM

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