Napoleone Ferrara (born 26 July 1956 in Catania) is an Italian-American molecular biologist who joined University of California, San Diego Moores Cancer Center in 2013 after a career in Northern California at the biotechnology giant Genentech, where he pioneered the development of new treatments for angiogenic diseases such as cancer, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy.[1] At Genentech, he discovered VEGF—and made the first anti-VEGF antibody—which suppresses growth of a variety of tumors. These findings helped lead to development of the first clinically available angiogenesis inhibitor, bevacizumab (Avastin), which prevents the growth of new blood vessels into a solid tumor and which has become part of standard treatment for a variety of cancers.[citation needed] Ferrara's work led also to the development of ranibizumab (Lucentis), a drug that is highly effective at preventing vision loss in intraocular neovascular disorders.[citation needed]
Napoleone Ferrara | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 July 1956 |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | VEGF discovery |
| Awards | |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | |
Education
editFerrara received his medical degree from the University of Catania, Italy, in 1981, and joined Genentech in 1988. He did his postdoctoral research at University of California, San Francisco.[2]
Current research
editAt UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Ferrara, a member of the National Academy of Sciences since 2006, serves as Senior Deputy Director for Basic Science and is a Distinguished Professor of Pathology in the UC San Diego School of Medicine, where he will continue cancer drug research targeting angiogenesis.[citation needed] He is presently focusing on investigating mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis alternative to VEGF, in particular the role of factors produced by myeloid cells and fibroblasts in mediating resistance to VEGF inhibitors.[citation needed]
Selected honors and awards
editFor his VEGF discovery, he won a Lasker Award in 2010.[3] In 2013, he was awarded the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his work.[4] He has received numerous other awards, including the General Motors Cancer Research Award (2006), the ASCO Science of Oncology Award (2007), the Pezcoller Foundation/AACR International Award (2009), the Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research (2011), and The Economist's Innovation Award for bioscience in 2012.[citation needed] Grand Prix scientifique de la Fondation Lefoulon-Delalande in 2005.[5]
In September 2014, Ferrara was awarded the António Champalimaud Vision Award, awarded by the Champalimaud Foundation.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Napoleone Ferrara, MD: Senior Deputy Director, Basic Science; Distinguished Professor of Pathology". UC San Diego Health Sciences. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ Napoleone Ferrara discusses Avastin and the future of anti-angiogenesis therapy, ScienceDirect.
- ^ Strauss, Evelyn. "2010 Winners - Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award". The Lasker Foundation. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ "Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences - News". Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "Historique". Fondation Lefoulon-Delalande Institut de France. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Ferrara Receives Champalimaud Award for Role in Eye Disease Therapy, UC San Diego
- ^ 第28回（2023年）受賞者
