Dr Andy Chevigné, Group Leader of the Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics research group at the LIH Department of Infection and Immunity (DII), was rewarded for his outstanding contribution to the fields of allergology and molecular pharmacology through the bestowal of the “Prix du Fonds Léon et Henri Fredericq” by the Royal Academy of Science, Letters and Fine Arts of Belgium.

On December 22nd, the Academy announced the 2020 laureates of its Science Class. Namely, Dr Chevigné received the 2019 “Prix du Fonds Léon et Henri Fredericq” for his work on the elucidation of the mechanism of activation of major allergens in dust mites and the mode of activation and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs are the largest family of cellular membrane proteins and mediate most physiological responses to hormones, neurotransmitters and metabolites. They also play a crucial role in the orchestration of the migration of immune cells and have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for a broad spectrum of diseases, including inflammatory and autoimmune disorders but also for many cancers.

“I am truly honoured and grateful to the jury for this recognition, which comes as an additional acknowledgement of the innovative and impactful work my team and I have been performing in the framework of LIH’s patient-centric and transversal research”

states Dr Chevigné.

Indeed, the prize arrives shortly after the “Galien Prize in Pharmacology”, awarded in early December 2020 to both Dr Chevigné and Dr Martyna Szpakowska for their outstanding contribution to the pharmacology of atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs). 

Established in 1969, the “Prix du Fonds Léon et Henri Fredericq” is awarded to researchers having particularly distinguished themselves through original research in the field of physiology or related sciences, such as molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics and pharmacodynamics.