Whilst the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel Prize is widely recognised today as 
one of the most prestigious European awards in the field of cancer research, 
many people are unaware of the story behind it. It is the story of Léopold and 
Alice Griffuel, a couple of philanthropists whose generosity led to the 
creation of the foundation in 1970. Since then, the Fondation ARC Léopold 
Griffuel has honoured the work of researchers who advance science and improve 
treatment for cancer patients. This year we are celebrating the 49th Fondation 
ARC Léopold Griffuel Prize to honour prestigious international researchers for 
their scientific achievements. The three 2021 award winners will share a total 
of (EUR)300,000 to pursue their research and take it a step further to improve 
patient outcomes!

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1491134/Portrait_Leopold_Griffuel.jpg 
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1491135/Fondation_ARC_Logo.jpg 

The promotion of the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel Prize is overseen by the 
French Embassies.

Canadian Michael Taylor was presented with the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel 
Prize for basic research at the French Embassy in Canada by Ambassador Kareen 
Rispal. The German researcher Stefan Pfister was honoured at the French Embassy 
in Germany, in the presence of Ambassador Anne-Marie Descôtes. Lastly, 
Professor Hiroyuki Mano received his award on Friday 2 April from the French 
Ambassador to Japan, Mr Philippe Setton.

Awarding creativity, perseverance and patient impact

Created in 1970 thanks to the legacy of physician and lawyer philanthropist 
Léopold Griffuel through his widow Alice, the Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel 
Prize rewards creativity, perseverance and continuity in cancer research each 
year. More than a mark of recognition, this is a world-renowned prize which has 
already twice been the final hurdle before the Nobel Prize.

"It is important to highlight that winners of the Fondation ARC Léopold 
Griffuel Prize are selected from 12 countries. The disease is global, and 
solutions to it are too. It is our role at the Fondation ARC Léopold to 
encourage this research wherever progress is being made. Our aim is to break 
down barriers between researchers across the world and to promote the 
development of new relationships between them. This prize is awarded to those 
who are advancing research, thereby showcasing their work. And it is their 
progress which will then enable other researchers to take that extra step that 
will allow us, collectively, to beat cancer" explains Claude Tendil, President 
of the Fondation ARC for cancer research.

To date, 58 researchers of 14 different nationalities, all from the most 
prestigious international institutions, have been honoured by a committee of 
international experts under the auspices of the Fondation ARC for Cancer 
Research. 

The 2021 Léopold Griffuel Prize rewards scientific advances that give cause for 
hope 

For its 49th edition, a jury of 6 international experts, chaired by Professor 
Hugues de Thé, met to select the 2021 winners. 

In basic research, Professors Michael Taylor and Stefan Pfister were honoured 
for their contribution to the molecular understanding of paediatric tumours and 
their clinical management. 

In particular, researcher Stefan Pfister has made it possible for relapsed 
children to have access to extremely detailed molecular analyses, so that they 
can be directed towards very specific treatment. Professor Michael Taylor has 
been able to decipher important mechanisms in the genesis and spread of 
medulloblastomas and ependymomas, which are among the most common malignant 
brain tumours in children. His work has made it possible to distinguish between 
different forms of these cancers, which have different prognoses.

Finally, Professor Hiroyuki Mano won the first prize in translational and 
clinical research for his work in identifying a new form of lung cancer and for 
his contribution to the development of an effective treatment. His work has 
made it possible to develop treatments that target this anomaly effectively.

Public Relations #FHCOM frederic.henry@fhcom.net +33 01 55 34 24 24

SOURCE: Fondation ARC pour la recherche sur le cancer