Oregon Health & Science University's Brian Druker, Nicholas Lydon, formerly at Novartis, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Charles Sawyers are the recipients of the clinical medical research Lasker Award for their work related to Gleevec, reports the Associated Press. Cambridge University's John Gurdon and the Gladstone Institutes' Shinya Yamanaka share the basic medical research award for their stem cell work. Finally, the public service award goes to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his efforts to curb smoking.
The Lasker Awards are often forerunners to the Nobel prizes, which are announced next month, says NPR's Health Blog. The Wall Street Journal has put together its list of favorites, including Lasker winner Yamanaka. Others on the Journal's list include: Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun as well as Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider.