The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded
annually for outstanding contributions to the field of medicine or medical
science. Below is a list of Nobel Prize winners in Physiology or Medicine from
the most recent year (2023) back to 1901:
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1901–2023)
Year 2023
- Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
For: Their discoveries in the development of
mRNA-based vaccines, which played a pivotal role in combating COVID-19.
Year 2022
- Svante Pääbo
For: His discoveries concerning the genomes of
extinct hominins and human evolution.
Year 2021
- David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian
For: Their discoveries of receptors for
temperature and touch.
Year 2020
- Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M. Rice
For: The discovery of the hepatitis C virus.
Year 2019
- William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, and Gregg
L. Semenza
For: Discoveries on how cells sense and adapt to
oxygen availability.
Year 2018
- James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo
For: The discovery of cancer therapies by
inhibition of negative immune regulation.
Year 2017
- Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young
For: Their discoveries of molecular mechanisms
controlling the circadian rhythm.
Year 2016
- Yoshinori Ohsumi
For: His discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy.
Year 2015
- William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura (shared)
For: Their discoveries concerning a novel therapy
against infections caused by roundworm parasites.
Tu Youyou
For: Her discoveries concerning a novel therapy
against malaria.
Year 2014
- John M. Kosterlitz, Robert J. Langer, and Richard H.
Thaler
For: Their work on the development of targeted
cancer therapies and cellular signaling mechanisms.
Year 2013
- James Rothman, Randy Schekman, and Thomas Südhof
For: Their discoveries of the molecular principles
of vesicle trafficking.
Year 2012
- Shinya Yamanaka and John Gurdon
For: Their discoveries related to the
reprogramming of cells to become pluripotent.
Year 2011
- Bruce A. Beutler, Jules A. Hoffmann, and Ralph M.
Steinman
For: Their discoveries in the field of immunity.
Steinman was awarded posthumously.
Year 2010
- Robert Edwards
For: The development of in vitro fertilization
(IVF).
Year 2009
- Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider, and Jack Szostak
For: The discovery of the structure and function
of telomeres.
Year 2008
- Harald zur Hausen, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, and Luc
Montagnier
For: Their discoveries related to the human
papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV.
Year 2007
- Mario J. Capecchi, Martin J. Evans, and Oliver Smithies
For: Their discoveries of principles for
introducing specific gene modifications in mice.
Year 2006
- Andrew Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello
For: Their discovery of RNA interference—gene
silencing by double-stranded RNA.
Year 2005
- Barry J. Marshall and Robin Warren
For: Their discovery of the bacterium
*Helicobacter pylori* and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
Year 2004
- Richard Axel and Linda Buck
For: Their discoveries on the genetic and
molecular mechanisms of the sense of smell.
Year 2003
- Peter Doherty and Rolf Zinkernagel
For: Their discoveries in immunology regarding how
the immune system recognizes virus-infected cells.
Year 2002
- Sydney Brenner, H. Robert Horvitz, and John E. Sulston
For: Their discoveries concerning genetic
regulation of organ development and programmed cell death.
Year 2001
- Leland H. Hartwell, Tim Hunt, and Paul M. Nurse
For: Their discoveries of key regulators of the
cell cycle.
Year 2000
- Arvid Carlsson, Paul Greengard, and Eric Kandel
For: Their discoveries on signal transduction in
the nervous system.
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This is just a partial list highlighting key recent
winners. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded for
contributions across many fields, including genetics, immunology, neuroscience,
and cancer research, reflecting the broad scope of groundbreaking medical
science.
For a full list of winners, the official Nobel Prize
website provides an exhaustive archive: [Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Archive](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/).
