Recognizing Visionaries in Patient Advocacy
New Jersey’s life sciences community gathered last Thursday at the annual Dinner Meeting & Innovation Celebration, held at the Hilton East Brunswick, to celebrate the BioNJ Award. The event brought together key figures from biopharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and patient advocacy groups to honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to medical advancements.
One of the evening’s highest honors, the Dr. Sol J. Barer Award for Vision, Innovation, and Leadership, was presented to Jayne C. Gershkowitz, chief patient advocate at Amicus Therapeutics. Gershkowitz has been instrumental in integrating patient perspectives into the company’s operations, ensuring that individuals living with rare diseases and their families have a voice throughout the drug development process.
Dr. Barer, who presented the award, highlighted Gershkowitz’s impact on the biopharma industry, emphasizing how she transformed patient advocacy from a supportive role into a strategic pillar influencing therapies, corporate culture, and healthcare policies. Her efforts have reshaped the way companies engage with patients, making their needs a driving force behind medical innovations.
Inspiring Stories of Advocacy and Research
The Heart of BioNJ Award was given to Grace Eline, a 16-year-old brain cancer survivor and advocate for pediatric cancer patients. Diagnosed in third grade with a rare germ-cell brain tumor, Eline underwent intensive treatment and is now celebrating six years of being cancer-free.
During her speech, she credited medical advancements and the dedication of healthcare professionals for giving her the opportunity to enjoy a normal teenage life, including attending high school and playing sports. Beyond her personal journey, Eline has been actively involved in advocating for pediatric cancer research, visiting national legislative bodies, and working on policies that support funding and awareness. She also founded the WITH Grace initiative, which focuses on direct care, awareness, and research for childhood cancer.
Also receiving the Heart of BioNJ Award was Dr. Husseini Manji, a renowned neuroscience researcher and former global head at Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Manji’s work has been pivotal in developing groundbreaking treatments for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. His contributions include the first novel antidepressant mechanism in over three decades, as well as innovative treatments for schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. He has also been involved in identifying biomarkers to enhance the understanding and treatment of complex neurological diseases.
Celebrating Innovation in Drug Development
In addition to individual honors, 18 companies were recognized with Innovator Awards for securing FDA approvals for novel treatments in the past year. These companies represent a diverse range of advancements in pharmaceuticals and medical technology.
Notable recipients include Eli Lilly, which received approvals for Ebglyss™ and Kisunla™, Pfizer, honored for Beqvez™ and Hympavzi™, and Merck & Co., recognized for Capvaxive™ and Winrevair™. Other awardees included Ascendis Pharma, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead, and Sun Pharma, among others.
The event underscored New Jersey’s role as a leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, highlighting the collaborative efforts between industry pioneers, patient advocates, and research institutions driving transformative advancements in healthcare.
