Honoring SGH | Professor Sun Xiaodong of Shanghai General Hospital Wins the 2024 Wu Jieping Medicine Innovation Award

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/_ZROvxCZx-UYxRadQo-epA

2024 Wu Jieping Medicine Innovation Award

Recently, the Wu Jieping Medical Foundation officially announced the recipients of the 2024 Wu Jieping Medical Award and the Wu Jieping Medicine Innovation Award. Professor Sun Xiaodong from Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Shanghai General Hospital) was honored with the 2024 Wu Jieping Medicine Innovation Award.

The Wu Jieping Medical Award is a prestigious accolade in the field of medical and health sciences in China, approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology and supported by the National Health Commission. It recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science and technology in China and the development of the country's healthcare system. The Wu Jieping Medicine Innovation Award specifically honors exceptional young and middle-aged professionals under the age of 59 who have achieved significant innovations in medical and pharmaceutical research or applications. After a rigorous process of initial reviews, final evaluations, and public announcements, two recipients were selected for the Wu Jieping Medical Award, and six for the Wu Jieping Medicine Innovation Award in 2024.

2024 Wu Jieping Medicine Innovation Award Recipient: Professor Sun Xiaodong

Professor Sun Xiaodong is a chief physician, doctoral supervisor, and a distinguished “Changjiang Scholar” under the Ministry of Education. He is also a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and recognized as a National Outstanding Young Expert with Prominent Contributions. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of Shanghai General Hospital, Director of the Ophthalmology Center, Deputy Director of the National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, and Head of the National Clinical Key Discipline (Ophthalmology). He is also the Chair of the Ophthalmology Subcommittee of the Shanghai Medical Association and a national member of the Ophthalmology branches of both the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Internationally, he is affiliated with leading organizations such as the European Retina Educational Society, the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), ARVO, and the Macula Society.

Professor Sun has long been dedicated to clinical and translational research on blinding retinal diseases. He has achieved groundbreaking results in the diagnosis, treatment, and innovative drug development for two leading causes of blindness worldwide—age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and inherited retinal diseases (IRD). AMD, identified as a major focus of blindness prevention by WHO, was once untreatable in China. In 2007, Professor Sun spearheaded the application of anti-VEGF therapies for AMD and other neovascular retinal diseases in China, developing innovative diagnostic and treatment protocols. His efforts transformed AMD in China from being "untreatable" to "treatable." Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s “13th Five-Year” Major Drug Innovation Program, his team addressed resistance to anti-VEGF therapy by co-developing the world’s first dual-target anti-VEGF and anti-complement drug. Currently in Phase III clinical trials in China, this drug has the potential to overcome treatment resistance barriers.

IRD accounts for 20% of global absolute blindness, with 99% of cases lacking effective treatment. Since 2013, Professor Sun has led a team to develop gene therapy for IRD, achieving a breakthrough in 2021 with China’s first gene therapy for IRD and AMD based on proprietary technology. This pioneering therapy, currently in Phase II-III clinical trials, offers a “one-time cure” for previously untreatable hereditary eye diseases, bringing hope to patients worldwide.

Professor Sun has served as the leading Chinese Principal Investigator (PI) in 27 international multicenter clinical trials and domestic multicenter studies. He has led eight national-level key projects, including the Ministry of Science and Technology’s “14th Five-Year” Key R&D Program and the “973” and “863” programs. He has published 228 SCI-indexed papers, including 136 as corresponding or co-corresponding author, in journals such as Sci Transl Med, Nature Medicine, Ophthalmology, and JAMA Ophthalmology, with a total impact factor of 1560. He has authored 87 papers in core Chinese journals as a corresponding author and contributed to eight clinical guidelines, pathways, and expert consensus documents.

Professor Sun holds nine Chinese invention patents, six of which have been successfully commercialized. His accolades include the National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize), Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award (First Prize), and Ministry of Education Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize). Recognized for his talents and contributions, he has been named a National Outstanding Young Expert in Health, a member of the “National Ten Thousand Talents Plan,” and a Shanghai Leading Talent. His honors also include the National May 1st Labor Medal, Shanghai Advanced Worker, one of Shanghai’s “Top Ten Outstanding Doctors,” and a Shanghai Craftsman.

Reporter: Ophthalmology Center

Editor: Public Relations and Spiritual Civilization Office, Shishi Cai

Translator: International Cooperation and Exchange Department, Yuhan Wang