Award Ceremony
2025 Edition
Prof. Hans Clevers, an international leader in molecular biology and a pioneer in the development of organoid technology, received the award as the winner of the V Edition of the ‘Abarca Prize’, the Dr. Juan Abarca International Medical Sciences Award, in a ceremony held at the Hotel Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid.

Recognized for his groundbreaking discoveries on stem cells and tissue regeneration, Prof. Clevers has revolutionized biomedical research by developing organoids—three-dimensional miniature versions of human organs grown from stem cells. This breakthrough has opened a new era in personalized medicine, allowing scientists to study diseases, test drugs, and advance toward tailor-made treatments for each patient.

The ceremony, hosted by journalist Olga Viza, brought together leading figures from the scientific, academic, and healthcare communities, as well as institutional and corporate representatives. The Minister of Health, Ms. Mónica García, presented the award together with Dr. Elena Abarca Cidón, on behalf of the Abarca Cidón family, hosts of the event.

During the ceremony, the president of the jury, Prof. Silvia Priori, read the official decision and highlighted the scientific and social impact of Prof. Clevers’ research, recognizing his contribution to the advancement of modern biomedicine.



In his acceptance speech, Prof. Clevers paid tribute to the collaborative nature of science and to the many researchers who have been part of his team: “Science is, by nature, a profoundly collaborative activity. This prize belongs to the brilliant, dedicated, and fearless young scientists who have passed through my labs.”He also recalled the beginnings of his research, when his team first discovered how a single stem cell could give rise to a miniature version of a human organ: “A single stem cell in a dish can grow into a mini-version of the organ it comes from. These mini-organs have not stopped growing since.”

He concluded his speech with words that captured both the essence of the award and his own philosophy: “Today we celebrate an award, but –more importantly– a way of understanding medicine: as an act of service, hope, and respect for life.”

The fifth edition of the Abarca Prize award ceremony was attended by more than 180 guests, including numerous public figures such as Alejandro Vázquez, Regional Minister of Health for the Regional Government of Castile and León; Raquel Yotti, PERTE Commissioner for Cutting-Edge Health at the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities; Jaime Olmedo, Rector of Camilo José Cela University; Jesús Aguilar, President of the Spanish Pharmaceutical Association; Eduardo Pastor, President of Cofares; Juan José Cano, President of KPMG Spain; José Mª Fernández Sousa, President of Pharma Mar; José Manuel Inchausti, First Vice President of the Board of Directors of MAPFRE Spain; Gregorio Marañón, President of the Board of Trustees of the Teatro Real Foundation; Carlos Murillo, President of Pfizer Spain; Ignacio Sánchez-Galán, president and CEO of Iberdrola; Ricardo Suárez, president of AstraZeneca; and Raquel Tapia, general manager of Sanofi Spain, among other prominent representatives from the institutional, academic, business, and healthcare fields, at an evening event that highlighted the Abarca Prize’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and humanism in medicine.



Photo gallery of the fifth edition Abarca Prize – 2025