Christian Hackenberger receives the UCB-Ehrlich Award for Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry 2026

Christian Hackenberger receives the UCB-Ehrlich Award for Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry 2026. ©FMP/Silke Osswald

An international jury committee has chosen Christian Hackenberger for his pioneering work in the field of bioconjugation and targeted drug delivery. The award will be presented to him during the opening ceremony of the EFMC Medicinal Chemistry 2026 in September in Basel, Switzerland. The award consists of a diploma, 7.500 euros and an invitation to present a lecture at the EFMC symposium.

In its statement, the EFMC jury particularly highlights the development of P5 bioconjugation by the Hackenberger laboratory: “This has established a method that is significantly advancing the clinical development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), with candidates already being tested in clinical trials.” Christian Hackenberger has also carried out pioneering work on bioconjugation, a methodological approach that is widely used in the production of ADCs and in strategies to improve the cell permeability of biopharmaceuticals. His contributions are at the edge of medicinal chemistry, chemical biology and targeted drug delivery – and are considered front-runners for the next decade’s achievements.

“This award is a great honour and a huge source of motivation for my team and me to continue our research with full vigour. The prize demonstrates that today’s basic chemical research can lead to the therapies of tomorrow. It reinforces my belief that we are working at exactly the right interface: between chemical biology, medicinal chemistry and what patients really need”, says Prof. Dr. Christian Hackenberger.

About the EFMC: The EFMC is an independent association founded in 1969 that represents 31 scientific organisations from 26 European countries and more than 9.000 scientists. Its aim is to advance the science of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology by promoting collaboration and exchange between national organisations in Europe and worldwide.

More information can be found here.