Honoring Scientific Legacy: Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award recognizes two thrombosis researchers
The Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award for Excellence in Thrombosis Research is a one-time distinction established to honor the scientific legacy of Dr. Frank Misselwitz, who passed away in summer 2025. The award recognizes two early- career researchers whose work reflects the translational ambition and curiosity that shaped Dr. Misselwitz’s career. Dr. Sarah Beck is recognized for her research on the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation and their role in hemostasis, thrombosis, and thrombo-inflammation. PD Dr. med. Gerrit M. Grosse, PhD is honored for advancing biomarker research, clinical research, and real-world evidence in thromboembolism and immunothrombosis. Together, their achievements underline the depth and momentum of current fundamental and clinical thrombosis research and its relevance to improving patient outcomes.
Meet the 2025 Awardees
Dr. Sarah Beck
University Hospital Würzburg
Dr. Sarah Beck is recognized for her translational research in hemostasis, thrombosis, and thrombo-inflammation, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation. Her work advances fundamental understanding of how thrombotic processes begin and evolve, contributing to potential future innovations in prevention and therapy.
PD Dr. med. Gerrit M. Grosse, PhD
University Hospital Basel
Dr. Gerrit M. Grosse is honored for his broad contributions to translational thrombosis research, which span biomarker discovery and validation, clinical research, realworld evidence generation, particularly in thromboembolism and immunothrombosis in ischemic stroke.
His work helps shape a more robust, datadriven approach to diagnosis, prevention and treatment, informing both mechanistic understanding and clinical decisionmaking.
About the Award
The Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award was established following the passing of Dr. Misselwitz on June 13, 2025, at the age of 68. Condolence donations in his name enabled the award creation.
Known for his significant contributions to thrombosis and hemostasis research, Dr. Misselwitz played a central role in the development and approval of Rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Together with his colleagues Dr. Dagmar Kubitza and Dr. Elisabeth Perzborn, he received the Deutscher Zukunftspreis des Bundespräsidenten in 2009 for this groundbreaking work. In a remarkable gesture, the team donated the prize money to the Bayer Foundation, enabling the creation of the Bayer Thrombosis Research Award.
Following his passing, colleagues and his wife, Jana Misselwitz, made it possible to establish this onetime memorial award as a tribute to his scientific and personal legacy. The award includes a €20,000 prize and highlights excellence in thrombosis research across basic science, clinical practice, epidemiology, and health policy. It will be formally presented during the Bayer Foundation Science Awards Celebration in February 2026 in Leverkusen.
Nominees for this award are early-career researchers (under 38 years old) with a PhD or MD who work in a German-speaking country or completed significant training there. They must demonstrate outstanding achievements in thrombosis research and contribute to advancing the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of thromboembolic diseases. These requirements align with the long-established Bayer Thrombosis Research Award. The awardees were selected by a distinguished jury of thrombosis experts, clinical leaders, and scientific advisors: Their combined expertise ensures an evaluation process grounded in scientific excellence and clinical relevance.
The Foundation also regularly honors outstanding thrombosis research through the bi-annual Bayer Thrombosis Research Award, a €30,000 prize recognizing exceptional earlycareer achievements in basic or clinical thrombosis science. More here: Our Awards | Bayer Foundation
