In recognition of his innovative and critical research into understanding and treating protein misfolding diseases, Jeffery Kelly, PhD, the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research, has been awarded the 2025 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine.

The annual Ross Prize, established in conjunction with the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and the journal Molecular Medicine, is awarded to active investigators who have produced research worthy of significant attention in the field of molecular medicine and demonstrated discovery and innovation in their career.

Kelly’s research focuses mainly on how protein misfolding and aggregation forms the basis for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. This research led to the creation of the FDA-approved drug tafamidis (Vyndaqel® and Vyndamax®), which substantially slows the progression of transthyretin amyloidosis, involving degeneration of the peripheral, autonomic and central nervous systems as well as organ system failure, including cardiomyopathy that leads to heart failure.

Kelly’s groundbreaking work has earned him the prestigious 2023 Wolf Prize in Chemistry, the 2022 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the 2016 Jacob and Louise Gabbay Award in Biotechnology and Medicine, and several other accolades.

As part of the award, Kelly will receive a $50,000 honorarium and present a keynote lecture at an award ceremony and mini symposium in New York this June.