Architects of the Revolution
Section 4 of 6
Architects of the Revolution
The five researchers whose discoveries — spanning four decades, three continents, and one Gila monster — made GLP-1 therapy possible for tens of millions of people.
Svetlana Mojsov, PhD
Research Scientist, Chemistry/Biochemistry
The Rockefeller University
2024 Lasker AwardIdentified and chemically synthesized the physiologically active form of GLP-1 — the structural foundation for every GLP-1 therapy ever developed.
The Breakthrough
In the 1980s, Mojsov identified and synthesized the truncated GLP-1(7-37) peptide — the biologically active form. While the proglucagon gene had been cloned by others, her chemical expertise determined which fragment was the actual incretin hormone. She developed innovative research reagents, including radioimmunoassays, that proved GLP-1 existed as a true endogenous hormone.
Scientific Legacy
Without knowing the exact active sequence, drug design would have been impossible. Her story also highlights contributions that were overlooked for decades before receiving the 2024 Lasker Award.
References
- Lasker Foundation. 2024 Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award
- The Rockefeller University News
Joel Habener, MD
Endocrinologist, Professor of Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School
2024 Lasker AwardCloned the gene encoding proglucagon, revealing that glucagon's precursor molecule contained additional peptides — one of which was GLP-1.
The Breakthrough
Habener cloned the cDNA encoding proglucagon using anglerfish pancreatic tissue, revealing that the glucagon precursor contained additional peptide sequences — one subsequently identified as GLP-1. This molecular biology achievement showed GLP-1 was a naturally occurring hormone encoded within the same gene as glucagon.
Scientific Legacy
His proglucagon cloning and characterization of GLP-1 as a distinct bioactive peptide opened the entire field of GLP-1 research and established the molecular foundation for understanding how GLP-1 is produced, processed, and secreted.
References
- Lasker Foundation. 2024 Lasker~DeBakey Award
- Harvard Medical School News
Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, DPharm
Corporate Vice President, GLP-1 Therapeutics
Novo Nordisk, Denmark
2024 Lasker AwardEngineered the fatty acid acylation platform that transformed a hormone lasting minutes into medicines lasting days — Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza, and Saxenda all derive from her team's work.
The Breakthrough
Knudsen led development of liraglutide and oversaw semaglutide at Novo Nordisk, implementing fatty acid acylation to extend GLP-1 analog half-life through albumin binding. Her team demonstrated that long-chain fatty acids could be attached to GLP-1 analogs without losing receptor potency — transforming a hormone lasting minutes into therapeutics lasting hours (liraglutide) to days (semaglutide).
Scientific Legacy
Her acylation platform transformed fundamental research into medicines now used by tens of millions worldwide. One of the most impactful examples of pharmaceutical engineering translating basic science into global public health impact.
References
- Lasker Foundation. 2024 Lasker~DeBakey Award
- Novo Nordisk
John Eng, MD
Physician-Scientist, Endocrinologist
Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Isolated exendin-4 from Gila monster venom in 1992 — a peptide that led directly to the first FDA-approved GLP-1 medication. A VA researcher studying lizard venom who launched a multi-hundred-billion-dollar drug class.
The Breakthrough
Eng isolated exendin-4 from Gila monster venom — a peptide structurally similar to GLP-1 but naturally resistant to DPP-4 degradation. While native GLP-1 is cleared in minutes, exendin-4 retained activity for hours. He demonstrated it could lower blood sugar and reduce food intake in diabetic mice, establishing proof-of-concept for GLP-1 receptor agonism as therapy.
Scientific Legacy
His discovery led directly to exenatide (Byetta), approved by the FDA in 2005 as the first GLP-1 RA. This validated GLP-1 receptor agonism as a druggable approach and catalyzed every subsequent GLP-1 medication.
References
- Eng J. Exendin peptides. Mount Sinai J Med. 1992
- National Institute on Aging
Daniel Drucker, MD
Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute / University of Toronto
Created the GLP-1 receptor knockout mouse — revealing that GLP-1's effects extended far beyond insulin to include cardiovascular protection, immune modulation, and neuroprotection.
The Breakthrough
Drucker conducted seminal studies characterizing proglucagon-derived peptide bioactivity. He developed the GLP-1 receptor knockout mouse — a genetic tool revealing GLP-1's physiological roles extended far beyond insulin secretion to include cardiovascular function, immune modulation, and neuroprotection. His mechanistic work established GLP-1 as a pleiotropic hormone with system-wide effects.
Scientific Legacy
His characterization of GLP-1 physiology provided the scientific rationale for investigating GLP-1 RAs as cardiovascular agents — predictions validated years later by SELECT, LEADER, and SUSTAIN-6. Recipient of the Canada Gairdner International Award and the Banting Medal.
References
- Drucker DJ. Biology of incretin hormones. Cell Metabolism. 2006
- Gairdner Foundation
Presented to Svetlana Mojsov, Joel Habener, and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen
"For the discovery and development of GLP-1-based drugs that have revolutionized the treatment of obesity." The Lasker Award, often called America's Nobel, recognized the foundational science and translational engineering that produced liraglutide, semaglutide, and the broader GLP-1 drug class.
Daniel Drucker and John Eng, while central figures in GLP-1 science, were not among the 2024 Lasker recipients. Their contributions to GLP-1 physiology and exendin-4 discovery remain independently recognized through numerous other honors.
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Their discoveries were validated by the largest cardiovascular trials in history.
Six landmark trials — SELECT, LEADER, SUSTAIN-6, and more — proved that GLP-1 medications do far more than manage weight. See the evidence.
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