The Prix Galien USA 2015 Awards have been bestowed on Imbruvica^® (ibrutinib) for best pharmaceutical agent, Opdivo^® (nivolumab) and Keytruda^® (pembrolizumab)‎ for best biotechnology product, and the T2Candida Panel for best medical technology. 

In recognition of the development and discovery of biotechnology products that improve the human condition, the selection committee awarded both Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo^® (nivolumab) and Merck's Keytruda^® (pembrolizumab)‎ the 2015 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Product. Opdivo^® (nivolumab) and Keytruda^® (pembrolizumab)‎ are PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors currently indicated for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma or metastatic non-small lung cancer, following first-line treatment failure and disease progression.

The 2015 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Pharmaceutical Agent was awarded to Janssen Biotech & Pharmacyclics'IMBRUVICA^® (ibrutinib), a first-in-class, oral, once-daily therapy for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma.

In the category of Best Medical Technology, the award was given to T2 Biosystems' T2Candida Panel. The T2Candida Panel is a diagnostic panel for the detection and monitoring of Candida infection and sepsis. It is the first sepsis pathogen diagnostic panel that provides species-specific results in three to five hours without the need for a blood culture, which can take up to six days to provide a result. 

The 2015 Pro Bono Humanum Award, which recognizes ground-breaking efforts in improving human health, was presented to Mary-Claire King, PhD, Professor of Genome Sciences and Medical Genetics at the University of Washington and renowned geneticist. Professor King is the first woman recipient of the award.

The Galien Awards Committee selected Professor Mary-Claire King in recognition of her work in transforming the application of human genetics to medicine through identification of the first gene, BRCA1, responsible for inherited susceptibility to breast cancer.  Professor King also demonstrated that the genomes of humans and chimpanzees are 99% identical, and pioneered the application of genetic sequencing in forensics to identify victims of human rights abuse.

"Strides in biomedical research cannot advance without professionals in the medical field who are constantly innovating and dedicating their lives to improving the welfare of patients everywhere," said Bruno Cohen, Chairman of the Galien Foundation, in a statement. "This year's nominees are leaders in the development of disease-altering advancements through biopharmaceutical and medical innovation."