Goodes Prize 10th anniversary celebrated science in Stockholm

Alzheimer’s research recognized at ADDF’s Goodes Prize event

Leading Alzheimer’s researchers met in Stockholm on 8-10 September for the tenth anniversary of the esteemed Melvin R. Goodes Prize.

The program included a Science Day and study visit to Karolinska Institutet and a ceremony dinner in Stockholm City Hall, renowned for the annual Nobel Prize banquet.

The Goodes Prize is awarded annually by the U.S. organization Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, ADDF, and was established by Melvin R. Goodes, a business executive in the pharma industry who himself was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Each year, the Goodes Prize recognizes an Alzheimer’s researcher who has made exceptional contributions in the field.

Goodes Prize 2024 to Professor Henrik Zetterberg

This year’s Goodes Prize was awarded to Henrik Zetterberg, Professor of Neurochemistry at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, for his groundbreaking work within biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

This is the second time the prize goes to Sweden. In 2021, it was awarded to Miia Kivipelto, Professor of Clinical Geriatrics at Karolinska Institutet, Director of Research and Development, Theme Aging at Karolinska University Hospital, and founder of the FINGERS Brain Health Institute. Professor Kivipelto leads the revolutionizing FINGER research on lifestyle factors and prevention of cognitive decline.

A number of prominent scientists, among them all ten Goodes Prize recipients, had come to Stockholm for the event. They were in good company with fellow researchers, leaders in academia, organizations and industry, and of course representatives from ADDF, its founders, the Lauder family, other funders, and the Goodes family.

Science Day and study visit at Karolinska Institutet

As part of the program, on 9 September, a Science Day was held in Karolinska Institutet’s Aula Medica, with an opening speech by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, a welcome address by Karolinska Institutet President Annika Östman Wernerson, and lectures and panel discussions with all ten Goodes Prize winners on stage. On the following day, a group of guests visited KI’s BioClinicum for a study visit arranged by Professor Kivipelto’s teams at KI, the Karolinska University Hospital, and the FINGERS Brain Health Institute (FBHI).

Awards ceremony recognizing all ten recipients

The Awards Ceremony and dinner in Stockholm City Hall particularly honored Professor Zetterberg, and medals were also presented to all Goodes Prize awardees through the years. The ten represent world-leading research, which has generated deeper knowledge about cognitive dieseases and paves the way for new diagnostic methods, prevention and treatment.

MET-FINGER project receives ADDF support

Over 57 million persons in the world live with Alzheimer’s disease. Through their support, ADDF wish to contribute to increased knowledge about the disease so that it can eventually be conquered.

Among many projects, ADDF supports the multinational study MET-FINGER, for which FBHI is the Swedish main partner. The Swedish part of the study is conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital, and the trial investigates the preventive effects on cognitive decline of a combination therapy including both lifestyle interventions and medication, the type 2 diabetes medicine metformin.