The European Commission announced the winners of the 10th edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators on 18 March 2024 at the R&I Week opening in Brussels. The “Women Innovators” Prize in the leading category of the program was awarded to PDC Therapeutics Co-Founder Prof. Rana Sanyal for her successful work in the field of biotechnology.
The European Prize for Women Innovators, which rewards women leaders who make a difference with their research and transform the power of innovation into social impact, was organized by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). It celebrates extraordinary women entrepreneurs who combine scientific excellence with a keen sense for business, paving the way for future generations. The winners of the European Prize for Women Innovators, to which a total of 330 female innovators from the European Union and Associated Countries applied in 3 different categories in the 2023-2024 edition, were selected by the evaluations of the expert jury panel.
The winner was announced at the EIC Summit during R&I Week by Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Prof. Sanyal said: “The recognition for European Prize for Women Innovators is not just a personal achievement. It is a symbol for collectiveefforts of women scientists and entrepreneurs worldwide. Receiving this award is a very powerful opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Together we can create a future where every aspiring scientist, regardless of their gender, has the opportunity to thrive and make a difference. We can continue to break barriers and change the narrative of women in leadership.”
Proven her success with international awards, academic entrepreneur Prof. Sanyal is an inventor or co-inventor of over 50 issued patents or pending applications. She has founded two biotech start-ups. Her first start-up has raised over 15 million EUR funding to date. Prof. Rana Sanyal has also been named one of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Science & Technology Pioneer fellows in 2021.
Founded by Prof. Rana Sanyal and Sena Nomak at Biopôle in Lausanne, PDC Therapeutics is a biotechnology start-up developing targeted Polymer-Drug Conjugate technologies that aim to provide patients with an optimal therapeutic index. PDC Therapeutics’ proprietary Sagitta® drug delivery platforms help discover and develop therapies with no compromise with a versatile targeting capability through co-development projects.
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