Ingelheim and Munich/Germany, 4 November 2005 – Prof. Helen H. Hobbs from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, is the winner of the Heinrich Wieland Prize 2005. She received the award and the prize money of € 25,000 at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich today. On the same occasion, Prof. Karl Decker from Freiburg was honoured with the Heinrich Wieland Medal in Gold.

Prof. Hobbs received the award that is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim for her research into cholesterol homeostasis at a genetic level. The findings are important because they may help to identify those individuals who are at risk of developing coronary atherosclerosis. The discovery of genetic differences that affect levels of cholesterol in the blood provides new targets for the development of drugs that lower plasma cholesterol levels and the incidence of heart attacks.

“Providing value through innovation is one of our company’s key principles,” said Dr Dr Andreas Barner, Vice Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors and Head of Research, Development and Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. “High quality basic research is the prerequisite for research and development towards new therapeutic options. We are delighted to offer this award and to honour Prof. Hobbs outstanding scientific achievement as it also underlines our support of the research community.”

During the ceremony, Prof. Karl Decker from Freiburg received the Heinrich Wieland Medal in Gold. In the long history of the award, this medal has only been offered twice. It honours the lifetime achievement of outstanding scientists.

“It is my great pleasure to present the Medal in Gold to Prof. Decker today,” said Prof. Nepomuk Zöllner, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The Board wishes to recognise his achievements as a pioneer of biochemical research and an outstanding scientist who inspired those who had the privilege to work with him.”