Bildnachweis: Melodia Therapeutics/Jacobian/Azafaros.
The Strüngmann Award has entered its decisive phase with the announcement of the three finalists for the 2026 edition. Presented for the third consecutive year, the award honours outstanding entrepreneurs from the DACH life sciences sector who have successfully translated scientific innovation into impactful products and businesses. The winner will be announced on 15 September 2026 and will receive prize money of EUR 100,000.
This year’s finalists are Dr Stefano Portolano, CEO of Azafaros, Prof. Dr med. Wieland Sommer, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Jacobian, and Dr Jonathan Talbot, CEO of Melodia Therapeutics and Co-Founder of Mosanna Therapeutics. “This year’s impressive finalists demonstrate the breadth of forward-thinking developments in our industry, from technologies that are already transforming clinical practice today to promising new therapeutic approaches. They embody the scientific excellence, creativity, and pioneering entrepreneurial spirit that define the DACH life sciences sector. The progress achieved by their companies shows what is possible when innovative approaches are driven forward with courage and strong execution,” said Drs. Andreas and Thomas Strüngmann.
Azafaros advances rare disease programme
Dr Stefano Portolano leads Azafaros, a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for rare and ultra-rare inherited metabolic disorders. The company’s lead candidate, nizubaglustat, is being developed for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders, a group of severe neurometabolic diseases that predominantly affect children. Since joining the company at an early stage, Portolano has overseen the progression of the programme from academic research through preclinical development and into late-stage clinical trials. Following positive Phase II data, Azafaros launched a Phase III development programme in 2025 comprising two pivotal studies. The company also secured one of Europe’s largest private biotechnology financings of the year, raising EUR 132 million in a Series B round to support the continued development of its lead asset and broader pipeline.
Jacobian scales radiology workflow platform globally
Prof. Dr med. Wieland Sommer has built a strong reputation as both an entrepreneur and academic. Through Jacobian, formerly Smart Reporting, he has helped transform radiology reporting by integrating structured reporting, speech recognition and automated workflows into a single platform. Today, Jacobian processes more than 80 million radiology reports annually and has established itself as a leading global provider in the field. A significant milestone in the company’s international expansion came in 2025 with the acquisition of the Fluency for Imaging platform from Solventum, formerly 3M. The transaction substantially strengthened Jacobian’s presence in North America and broadened its technological capabilities. Sommer previously founded healthcare workforce management company Planerio, which was acquired by Vitruvian Partners in 2021. Under his leadership, Smart Reporting also established strategic partnerships with major healthcare technology groups including Siemens Healthineers and GE Healthcare.
Jonathan Talbot recognised for building high-potential biotech ventures
Dr Jonathan Talbot has extensive experience in company building, clinical development and business development across the biotechnology sector. As Co-Founder and CEO of Mosanna Therapeutics, he led the development of MOS-118, a novel intranasal therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea. Under Talbot’s leadership, the company raised more than USD 80 million across multiple financing rounds and advanced the programme into Phase I clinical trials. Talbot now heads Basel-based Melodia Therapeutics, which is developing oral therapies for severe neutrophil-driven inflammatory diseases. Its lead preclinical candidate, MLD-151, is a next-generation DPP1 inhibitor designed to offer improved efficacy and safety compared with earlier compounds.
Winner to be announced in September
As part of the final selection process, the three finalists will present their companies and entrepreneurial achievements to a jury comprising leading entrepreneurs and experienced biotechnology investors. The winner of the Strüngmann Award 2026 will be revealed during the award ceremony on 15 September 2026. Launched in 2024, the Strüngmann Award recognises exceptional life sciences entrepreneurs across the DACH region who successfully transform scientific ideas into commercial products through innovation, vision and entrepreneurial excellence. The award is named after Andreas and Thomas Strüngmann, whose entrepreneurial success with Hexal and subsequent investment activities through ATHOS Family Office have made them among the most influential figures in the European life sciences ecosystem.
