Jena Hematologist Awarded Thuringian Research Prize for Leukemia Breakthrough
Jena (UKJ/vdG). Professor Dr. Andreas Hochhaus, a leading hematologist and oncologist at Jena University Hospital, has been awarded the 2025 Thuringian Research Prize in the “applied research” category for his pivotal work in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. The prize, worth €25,000, recognizes over two decades of dedicated research aimed at understanding and improving outcomes for patients battling this disease.
CML, affecting approximately 1,200 individuals annually in Germany, is characterized by an overproduction of white blood cells due to a genetic abnormality. While stem cell transplantation remains the only potential cure, the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has dramatically altered the treatment landscape. Professor Hochhaus’s research focuses on refining these therapies and developing new approaches to combat the disease.
He recently spearheaded the ASC4FIRST study, a collaborative effort with industry partners, to evaluate asciminib, a novel TKI with a unique mechanism of action. The multi-center trial, involving over 400 CML patients across 29 countries, demonstrated asciminib’s superior efficacy in suppressing leukemia, coupled with a significantly reduced incidence of side effects, compared to standard treatments. These findings pave the way for asciminib’s potential approval as a first-line therapy for CML patients globally.
Professor Hochhaus’s commitment extends beyond individual trials. He actively fosters collaboration through the German CML Alliance, a multidisciplinary platform uniting medical professionals, researchers, nurses, laboratory experts, and patient advocates. He also serves as co-director of the Central German Cancer center, a leading oncological hub established by the German Cancer Aid, and as executive chairman of the German Society for Hematology and medical Oncology.
“Clinical research within university hospitals is crucial for translating scientific advancements into tangible benefits for patients,” stated Professor Hochhaus upon receiving the award. ”This prize is a testament to the dedication of my entire team in Jena and our collaborating institutions.”
Professor Hochhaus’s career began with training in Leipzig and Erfurt, followed by positions at the University Hospital of Mannheim and a professorship at the University of Heidelberg. He returned to Thuringia in 2009 to take up his current role at Jena University Hospital, where he also previously served as Dean of Research. He shares the 2025 Thuringian Research Prize with a team from Nordhausen University recognized for their innovative sewage sludge treatment concept.
Further Data: https://bildung.thueringen.de/forschung-und-innovation/wettbewerbe-preise/forschungspreis
