BioNJ Announces Innovator Award Recipients

On Jan 7, 2026

BioNJ announced its 2026 Innovator Award Honorees, who will be honored at the organization’s 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting & Innovation Celebration on Feb. 5 at the East Brunswick Hilton.

“Because Patients Can’t Wait^®, we are incredibly proud of our members who are helping patients live longer, better lives,” said BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart. “At BioNJ’s Annual Dinner Meeting & Innovation Celebration, we’ll come together to honor the remarkable dedication and transformative work of New Jersey’s life sciences community — a beacon of innovation and hope that turns patients’ dreams into reality around the globe. With 20 novel FDA approvals, as well as a newly approved cell and gene therapy, in 2025, New Jersey proudly stands at the forefront of progress, setting the standard for excellence across the nation.”

The 2026 Innovator Award Honorees Include:

• Abbvie for the approval of Emrelis™
• Bayer for the approvals of Hyrnuo® and Lynkuet®
• Daiichi Sankyo for the approval of Datroway®
• Eli Lilly for the approval of Inluriyo™
• GSK for the approvals of Blujepa and Exdensur
• Insmed for the approval of Brinsupri™
• Johnson & Johnson for the approval of Imaavy™
• Kyowa Kirin (in partnership with Kura Oncology) for the approval of Komzifti™
• LEO Pharma for the approval of Anzupgo®
• Merck & Co. for the approvals of Enflonsia™ and Keytruda Qlex™
• Novartis for the approvals of Itvisma®, Rhapsido® and Vanrafia™
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical for the approval of Voyxact®
• PTC Therapeutics for the approval of Sephience™
• Regeneron for the approval of Lynozyfic™
• Sanofi for the approvals of Qfitlia™ and Wayrilz™

Additionally, the evening will include the presentation of the Dr. Sol J. Barer Award for Vision, Innovation and Leadership to Dr. Jan van de Winkel, president and CEO of Genmab.

Named for Dr. Sol J. Barer, founder and former chairman and CEO of Celgene Corporation and former BioNJ Chairman, the award recognizes outstanding researchers and business leaders who have made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the life sciences industry in New Jersey and throughout the world.

“We are thrilled to announce Dr. Jan van de Winkel as the 2026 Dr. Sol J. Barer Award recipient,” said Hart. “His passion for patients has been the driving force behind his work — fueling scientific breakthroughs that have changed countless lives and setting new standards for what is possible in biomedical innovation. Equally inspiring is his deep and enduring dedication to New Jersey, where he has championed growth, invested in talent and helped strengthen the State’s position as a global leader in life sciences. This award is a fitting tribute to a career defined by bold ideas and transformative impact.”

The evening will also include the presentation of the Heart of BioNJ Awards to extraordinary patient advocates. In addition to other special moments throughout the evening, we will hear “The Power of Innovation: A Mother-Son Journey with Cystic Fibrosis,” delivered by the Mother-Son Team of Siobhan Barry and Conor Reid.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: