First prize to Vincent de Groot of the University of Nijmegen
The jury has decided to present the International DSM Award for Chemistry and
Technology 2003 to Dr. Vincent de Groot of the University of Nijmegen in
recognition of his research in the field of Organic Chemistry. He performed
this research as a member of the Department of Organic Chemistry under the
supervision of Dr. Hans Scheeren and Prof. Roeland Nolte.
The winner's special achievement is that he has designed, synthesized and
evaluated new types of tumor-activated prodrugs with the aim to deliver an
anticancer drug in the tumor in a highly specific way. The elegance of the
concept is that unwanted toxic side effects of the drug are reduced. The jury
expects that the outcome of the research will prove useful in chemotherapy of
tumors, more in general in targetted drug delivery.
A striking aspect of the research is that it not only represents a high level
of science but it also has inspired Dr. De Groot to set up his own start-up
company to further promote this prodrug concept into the pharmaceutical
industry. The jury is impressed by the creativity and the broad approach of
the research carried out by Dr. De Groot and is therefore pleased to present
him the International DSM Award for Chemistry and Technology 2003.
