The Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award honors two outstanding thrombosis researchers.
The Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award for Excellence in Thrombosis Research is a unique award presented to honor the scientific legacy of Dr. Frank Misselwitz, who passed away in the summer of 2025. The prize recognizes two early-career researchers whose work reflects the translational approach and curiosity that characterized Dr. Misselwitz's career. Dr. Sarah Beck is honored 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 his contributions to biomarker research, clinical research, and the generation of real-world evidence in thromboembolism and immune thrombosis in stroke. Together, their research achievements underscore the progress in current thrombosis research and its importance for improved patient care.
The 2025 award winners
Dr. Sarah Beck
University Hospital Würzburg
Dr. Sarah Beck is being honored for her translational research in the fields of hemostasis, thrombosis, and thrombo-inflammation – with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation. Her work makes a crucial contribution to the fundamental understanding of how thrombotic processes begin and develop, thus contributing to potential future innovations in prevention and therapy.
PD Dr. med. Gerrit M. Grosse, PhD
University Hospital Basel
Dr. Gerrit M. Grosse is being honored for his wide-ranging contributions to translational thrombosis research, which span from biomarker discovery and validation to clinical research and the generation of real-world evidence – particularly in the field of thromboembolism and immunothrombosis in stroke.
His work contributes to a more informed, data-driven approach to diagnostics, prevention and therapy, and supports both scientific understanding and clinical decision-making.
About the award
The Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award was established following the death of Dr. Misselwitz on June 13, 2025, at the age of 68. Memorial donations in his name made the creation of the award possible.
Dr. Misselwitz was known for his significant contributions to thrombosis and hemostasis research and 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 German Future Prize from the Federal President in 2009 for this groundbreaking work. In a remarkable gesture, the team donated the prize money to the Bayer Foundation, thus enabling the creation of the Bayer Thrombosis Research Award.
Following his death, colleagues and his wife, Jana Misselwitz, made it possible to establish this unique memorial award in recognition of his scientific and personal legacy. The award, endowed with €20,000, honors outstanding thrombosis research in the fields of basic research, clinical practice, epidemiology, and health policy. The award ceremony will take place as part of the Bayer Foundation Science Awards Celebration in Leverkusen in February 2026.
Young researchers (under 38 years of age) with a PhD or MD who are working in a German-speaking country or have completed significant training there are eligible for nomination. They must demonstrate outstanding scientific achievements in thrombosis research and contribute to improving the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of thromboembolic diseases. These requirements are identical to those of the long-established Bayer Thrombosis Research Award. The award recipients were selected by a distinguished jury of thrombosis experts, clinical leaders, and scientific advisors: their combined expertise ensures a selection process based on scientific excellence and clinical relevance.
The Bayer Foundation also recognizes outstanding thrombosis research through the biennial Bayer Thrombosis Research Award – a prize endowed with €30,000 for exceptional early career-related achievements in basic or clinical thrombosis research.
Learn more: Our Awards | Bayer Foundation
