Enhertu Wins 2026 International Prix Galien Award
The biennial honor recognizes the antibody drug conjugate as the leading biotechnology product of the year.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Biotech
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The Galien Foundation awarded its 2026 International Prix Galien for Best Biotechnology Product to the antibody drug conjugate Enhertu. This award recognizes the therapeutic achievement of the drug, which is jointly developed by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the clinical progression of antibody drug conjugates in oncology. The award serves as an industry benchmark for therapeutic innovation that improves patient outcomes.
Enhertu is a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, a class of drugs that acts as a targeted delivery vehicle for chemotherapy. Its selection for the 2026 award follows its 2024 recognition by the Prix Galien USA committee.
The players
Enhertu
A HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate developed to treat specific cancers by delivering chemotherapy agents to tumor cells.
Daiichi Sankyo
A Tokyo-based pharmaceutical company focused on the development of oncology therapeutics and antibody drug conjugate technology.
AstraZeneca
A global biopharmaceutical company that partners on the commercialization and clinical development of oncology products.
The Galien Foundation
An organization that recognizes advancements in biomedical and medical technology through international award programs.
The details
Enhertu works as an antibody drug conjugate, which links a monoclonal antibody that targets specific proteins on cancer cells to a potent chemotherapy payload. This mechanism allows the drug to deliver toxic treatment directly to target cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The selection committee, comprised of representatives from 17 nations, evaluated six nominees to determine the 2026 international recipient.
Timeline
March 2019: Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca began their global collaboration.
2019: Enhertu received its first U.S. regulatory approval.
2024: The drug received the Prix Galien USA Award.
October 29, 2026: The International Prix Galien Award ceremony took place in New York.
The Tech Race
The award follows the drug's 2024 U.S. recognition, underscoring its performance in the competitive landscape of oncology therapeutics. It currently maintains a prominent position among the nine antibody drug conjugates currently in clinical development.
This award signifies continued international clinical support for the drug's use in oncological care. Patients and providers can track the medication's ongoing clinical efficacy through its standard regulatory and peer-reviewed publication channels.
The takeaway
The International Prix Galien Award reinforces the status of antibody drug conjugates as a primary pillar of cancer treatment. Observers should track upcoming clinical data to see if these platforms continue to surpass traditional monotherapy benchmarks.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Pharmabiz.
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