Stephan Sieber Awarded € 1 Million Future Insight Prize 2020 by Merck

- Prof. Sieber is developing approaches against multi-resistant pathogens at the Technical University of Munich

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DARMSTADT, Germany, July 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the winner of the Future Insight Prize 2020, worth € 1 million. This year's topic "Multi-Drug Resistance Breaker" relates to the health category. Prof. Stephan Sieber (44) is being awarded the Future Insight Prize 2020 for his scientific research into fighting multidrug-resistant bacteria. Sieber and his research group at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, are working on ways to overcome antibiotic resistance.

"Only thanks to research and innovative solutions will we be able to win the fight against antimicrobial resistance globally. I cordially congratulate Prof. Stephan Sieber on his work. And it is my wish to see many scientists and companies engage in this vital field of health research," said Jens Spahn, German Federal Minister of Health, in his speech to honor Sieber.

"Antimicrobial resistance poses a major risk for all of humanity. It threatens every medical advance that researchers and developers are pursuing around the globe. That's why we are proud to be able to support Stephan Sieber: a brilliant researcher who has dedicated himself to this highly complex topic. We at Merck have been engaged in the fight against antimicrobial resistance for years, and we launched a new development fund together with other companies just last week," said Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck.

One of Sieber's research projects focuses on PK150, an antibiotic able to stop multi-resistant bacteria in their tracks. His research group has identified two modes of action for PK150: firstly, it interferes with the bacteria's energy metabolism; secondly, it increases the activity of a signal peptidase, which causes the bacteria to burst, thereby destroying them. Sieber, who lectures in Organic Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich, studied and earned his doctorate at Philipps-Universität in Marburg with periods of study abroad including in Boston, USA. He has received numerous awards, including the Klung Wilhelmy Science Award and the Klaus Grohe Prize.