About the award

Johann Anton Merck (1756-1805) was pharmacist of the family pharmacy in the fifth generation. He combined work in the pharmacy with scientific research, published in scientific journals and was characterized by curiosity, a passion for innovative concepts, and a strive to build global collaboration networks. He created the spirit that enabled the success of his son Heinrich Emanuel Merck who then established our pharmaceutical and chemical factory. 

The award in honor of Johann Anton Merck is a prestigious annual achievement award for outstanding scientific preclinical accomplishments in the areas of our companies’ strategic focus in healthcare.

This year’s award is handed out by EMD Serono under the name EMD Serono Science Award. The award comes with a € 30,000 prize.

For previous year's winners, please refer to the Johann Anton Merck Award.

This award program is not open to HCPs.

EMD Serono Science Award

Kevan Shokat - 2026 Laureate

Kevan Shokat is professor and chair in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at University of California, San Francisco, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at University of California, Berkeley, and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Kevan's groundbreaking research has overcome a decades-long challenge in cancer treatment by developing the first inhibitor for a mutated Ras protein, specifically K-Ras (G12C). His innovative approach, which led to the creation of a molecule that locks the mutated protein in an inactive state, has opened a new era in treating previously "undruggable" targets.