Mirjam Groger receives the Wolfgang Stille Science Award
Dr. Mirjam Groger from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) receives the Wolfgang Stille Science Award 2022 for her outstanding work on the therapy of Lassa haemorrhagic fever. The scientist, who is also active in the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), was able to show in field studies in Nigeria that the drug ribavirin, which is frequently used to treat the disease, has no relevant effect on the Lassa fever-causing virus and is therefore not an appropriate therapy in its current application. The results were published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The prize will be awarded by the Paul Ehrlich Society at its spring meeting on April 4, 2023.
Lassa fever is a viral infection that occurs in many countries of West Africa and often leads to death by organ failure. Until now, it has hardly been possible to cure the severe courses of the disease. As a result of Mirjam Groger's work, an international clinical trial platform has now been established with the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Nigeria and other partner institutions to test new antiviral substances for Lassa fever therapy and to improve patient care.
The prize, donated by Pfizer Pharma GmbH, commemorates the infectiologist and former chairman of the Paul Ehrlich Society, Professor Dr Wolfgang Stille (1935-2004). With the prize, which is awarded every two years, the Society recognises outstanding research work in the fields of infectiology and medical microbiology.
Source: Press release of the Paul Ehrlich Society (in German)
