The Innovation Award was presented on 15 March 2022 at the Online-FiMC 2022 to Dr Steffen Pockes and Dr Oliver Thorn-Seshold .

Dr Pockes: "in recognition of his outstanding, original and pioneering research work." Dr Pockes' scientific work focuses on the development of novel active substances to combat neurodegenerative diseases. The focus is on innovative ligands for G-protein-coupled receptors and selective caspase inhibitors. The scientific success of his innovative and independent research work is documented by publications in the highest-ranking journals of medicinal chemistry."

Dr Thorn-Seshold: "in recognition of his outstanding, original and pioneering research work. Dr Thorn-Seshold develops structurally novel, photoswitchable modulators of the cytoskeleton. This work ranges from basic research to in vivo applications. With photoswitchable antimitotics and vascular-damaging agents, new strategies for tumour therapy are being developed. The scientific success of his innovative and independent work is documented by publications in the highest-ranking international journals and by a considerable amount of third-party funding."

The Innovation Award was presented at the Online-FiMC 2021 to Prof. Dr Pierre Koch and Ass.-Prof. Dr Nina Schützenmeister .

Prof. Dr Koch: "in recognition of his outstanding, original and pioneering research work. Dr Koch developed selective kinase inhibitors that are able to penetrate the central nervous system. These kinase inhibitors represent an innovative approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's s dementia and multiple sclerosis. The scientific success of this innovative research has been documented by numerous publications in prestigious journals."

Prof. Dr Schützenmeister: "in recognition of her outstanding, original and pioneering research work. Dr Schützenmeister carried out innovative work on the synthesis of biologically active natural substances. She developed new and efficient synthesis methods and used them to obtain antibacterial and antiviral natural substances and natural substance analogues. The scientific success of this innovative and highly independent research work is documented by publications in prestigious journals."

The Innovation Award 2020 was awarded to Mr PD Dr Oliver Koch and Mr PD Dr Daniel Merk .

PD Dr Oliver Koch: "in recognition of his outstanding, original and pioneering research work. Dr Koch carried out groundbreaking work on the development and application of computer-aided methods for the rational molecular design of new biologically active substances. In particular, he focussed on targets to combat mycobacterial infections and to modulate epigenetic processes. The scientific success of this innovative and highly independent research work is documented in numerous publications in prestigious journals."

PD Dr Daniel Merk: "in recognition of his outstanding, original and pioneering research work. Dr Merk carried out innovative work on the modulation of nuclear receptors. This important class of proteins offers poorly characterised, potential new targets for drug development. Dr Merk has used a wide range of methods for his research to date, including computer-assisted methods. In his still young scientific career, he has already achieved an astonishing number of high-quality publications."