The award recognizes their outstanding and long-standing contributions to the translation of extracellular vesicle (EV) research into clinical applications, as well as their leadership in building international scientific collaborations and advancing the field toward real-world therapeutic impact.

Following their participation in ISEV 2026 and ISCT 2026, Dr. Rohde and Dr. Gimona reflected on the significance of this recognition:

“For us, this award represents far more than an individual achievement. It reflects years of collaboration, the hard work of an incredibly committed and qualified team at our GMP Unit, trust, scientific curiosity, and the shared commitment of an incredible international community working to advance the translation of extracellular vesicle research into clinical reality.”

Over the past years, Mario and Eva have played a pioneering role in shaping the translational EV landscape. Their work includes the establishment of one of the first GMP facilities dedicated to the production of therapeutic EVs at Paracelsus Medical University, the initiation of collaborative EV meetings and workshops, and the development of influential position papers and scientific frameworks for the field.

In addition, they have actively strengthened both local and international EV networks, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributed to regulatory and clinical advancement through eight years of leadership within the ISEV Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Use Task Force. Both researchers also served in key leadership roles for ISEV2025 in Vienna, Austria.

Their achievements strongly reflect the mission of the LBI NVPM: transforming nanovesicles into next-generation precision medicines for acute injuries or chronic and age-related diseases. The institute focuses on developing safe, targeted, and biocompatible nanovesicle-based therapies and drug delivery systems for applications in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory disorders, traumatic tissue injuries and regenerative medicine.

At LBI NVPM, Dr. Mario Gimona leads the research group “Native Nanovesicular Therapeutics,” while Dr. Eva Rohde heads the “Science-Medical-Public Liaison” group.

Together, they contribute to advancing innovative therapeutic strategies that aim to improve patient outcomes and support sustainable healthcare solutions.

The LBI NVPM warmly congratulates both awardees on this exceptional recognition and looks forward to their continued contributions to the international EV community and the future of precision medicine.