Science

Scientists Win Breakthrough Prize for Gene Therapy

Updated 2026-05-05 12:15 UTC 1 source Positive

Stuart Orkin and Swee Lay Thein won a $3-million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for their research on genetic causes of sickle cell disease. Their work has set the stage for approved gene therapies, though access remains limited.

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Scientific American

How scientists made the discoveries behind a game-changing gene therapy for sickle cell disease and won a $3-million Breakthrough Prize

Stuart Orkin and Swee Lay Thein shared a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for their research on genetic causes of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia that set the stage for approved gene therapies. The treatments are not accessible to everyone, though

2026-05-05 11:00 UTC