▎HONOR

Prof. Pei-Jer Chen of National Taiwan University’s College of Medicine has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Baruch S. Blumberg Prize by the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) for his outstanding contributions to the study and treatment of hepatitis. This international honor not only affirms Prof. Chen’s leadership in hepatitis research but also testifies to Taiwan’s significant role in global medical advancements.

Founded in 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation is dedicated to eliminating hepatitis B and related diseases by providing education, advocacy, and research support for patients worldwide. The foundation also established the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, which is focused on innovative translational research in virology and liver disease treatments. The Baruch S. Blumberg Prize is named after Dr. Baruch S. Blumberg, MD, PhD, the 1976 Nobel Laureate in Medicine who discovered the hepatitis B virus and pioneered the development of the hepatitis B vaccine. Given Dr. Blumberg’s key role in the foundation’s establishment and mission, his legacy continues to shape the field. The award recipients are selected annually by a panel of past laureates, which includes leading experts in hepatitis B and related research—among them Dr. Harvey Alter, recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Consequently, this prize is considered one of the highest honors in hepatitis research.

Upon learning he had been chosen to receive this prize, Prof. Chen expressed his gratitude, stating: “I am deeply honored to receive this award. Dr. Blumberg’s groundbreaking research laid the foundation for scientific advancements in hepatitis B and D, leading to effective vaccines and treatments. Over the years, my team and I have worked tirelessly to uncover the functions of novel viral proteins and develop an immunocompetent chronic hepatitis B mouse model to advance immunology and cancer research. These efforts have driven biomarker and therapeutic developments into clinical trials.”

Dr. Chari A. Cohen, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation, praised Prof. Chen’s groundbreaking contributions to the treatment and clinical research of hepatitis B and D, noting, “Prof. Chen is not only an outstanding scientist and clinician but also a key advocate for hepatitis B awareness in Asia and worldwide.”

Additionally, Dr. Ru-Tao Guo, Acting Director of the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, commended Prof. Chen for his pioneering work in hepatitis virology and clinical management, particularly his research on the molecular mechanisms of hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer. His findings have provided a crucial foundation for early detection and precision medicine in liver cancer treatment.

The 2025 Baruch S. Blumberg Prize will be officially presented to Prof. Chen on April 4, 2025, at the Hepatitis B Foundation’s annual gala in Warrington, Pennsylvania, USA.