Four American scientists win 2025 VinFuture Grand Prize for HPV vaccine breakthroughs
Four American scientists received the 2025 VinFuture Grand Prize in Hanoi for pioneering discoveries that led to the HPV vaccine, recognized as a major breakthrough in preventing HPV-related tumors and advancing global public health.
THE HANOI TIMES — Four American scientists have received the 2025 VinFuture Grand Prize worth US$3 million, the award’s highest honor, for their groundbreaking discoveries and development of the HPV vaccine, which prevents tumors caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Four American scientists are awarded the 2025 VinFuture Grand Prize. Photo: VTV
They received the awards at the 5th annual VinFuture Awards Ceremony on December 5 at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi.
The event honored four outstanding scientific and technological breakthroughs that embody this year’s theme, “Rising and Thriving” and highlight the importance of global scientific cooperation in addressing major challenges in health, the environment and human livelihood.
The 2025 VinFuture Grand Prize honors Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, Dr. John T. Schiller, Dr. Aimée R. Kreimer and Prof. Maura L. Gillison for their discoveries and development of HPV vaccines that prevent tumors caused by human papillomaviruses.
The award-winning researchers said the honor carries deep meaning because it recognizes their dedication, progress and commitment to a field that strengthens global health equity.
The VinFuture 2025 Special Prize for emerging fields honors five scientists: Prof. Venkatesan Sundaresan (United States), Prof. Raphaël Mercier (Germany), Dr. Emmanuel Guiderdoni (France), Dr. Imtiyaz Khanday (United States) and Dr. Delphine Mieulet (France).
These scientists were honored for innovations that enable self-propagating hybrid crops.
Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man said the VinFuture Awards celebrate exceptional scientific breakthroughs and create valuable platforms that connect scientists, businesses and policymakers.
He said the event sparks new ideas and fosters new models of cooperation.
“We stand ready to work with countries, organizations and research institutions in a spirit of openness, responsibility and mutual respect. Vietnam will continue to serve as a trusted and attractive destination for scientists, where creative values can be shared and spread globally,” Man said.
After five editions, the VinFuture Prize has received more than 6,000 nominations from nearly 110 countries and territories.
It has honored 48 outstanding scientists who lead critical fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, biomedical technologies and transformative advances in agriculture.
These are the fields that raise quality of life, strengthen human well-being and shape future development pathways.
This year, the Awards continued to attract strong interest, with 1,705 nominations, nearly triple the number received in the inaugural year.
The nominated works demonstrate bold innovation and pioneering creativity, inspiring society and strengthening confidence in science and technology’s ability to address the world’s most urgent challenges.
