This year’s recipient is the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, a pioneer nonprofit research institute dedicated to open clinical and biomedical research.

Director Giuseppe Remuzzi will accept the medal on behalf of the Institute and share his insights into the benefits of the approach of this exceptional research team that does science for social good.

When the Institute opened in 1963, it represented an unusual kind of organisation, one which was totally independent of the pharmaceutical industry, the state, universities, politics, investors and religious ideologies.

For over 60 years, the researchers have been conducting first-class research in a collegial, open science culture, where the research teams retain control over research design, data, methods, results, and publications. Honouring the long-time tradition of considering medicines as a public good, the institute has decided not to seek patents and profits from royalties, in the belief that such pursuit compromises good science.

A patient-centric philosophy has created a unique framework at the Institute for research on unmet clinical needs, considered too unprofitable or unpatentable by big corporations, thus fostering a paragon of doing science as a true social good.

The Edinburgh Medal is awarded by the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, with an oration to be delivered by Prof Allyson Pollock, and the Vote of Thanks from Prof Wendy Bickmore.