Napoleone Ferrara

Napoleone Ferrara, born July 26, 1956 in Catania, Italy, is a Distinguished Professor of Pathology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He serves as Senior Deputy Director for Basic Science at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences since 2006.

Dr. Ferrara's research focuses on:

• Angiogenesis and tumor angiogenesis
• VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) discovery and inhibition
• Anti-angiogenesis therapy for cancer treatment
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis alternative to VEGF
• Role of factors produced by myeloid cells and fibroblasts in mediating resistance to VEGF inhibitors

Dr. Ferrara's work has revolutionized treatment approaches for angiogenic diseases, with his research trends showing consistent focus on vascular biology and therapeutic applications across oncology and ophthalmology fields.

Dr. Ferrara has received numerous prestigious awards for his groundbreaking work:

• Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2013)
• Lasker Award (2010)
• Keio Medical Science Prize (2023)
• General Motors Cancer Research Award (2006)
• ASCO Science of Oncology Award (2007)
• Pezcoller Foundation/AACR International Award (2009)
• Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research (2011)
• The Economist's Innovation Award for bioscience (2012)
• Grand Prix scientifique de la Fondation Lefoulon-Delalande (2005)
• António Champalimaud Vision Award (2014)

Dr. Ferrara's pioneering work led to the development of important therapeutic agents including bevacizumab (Avastin) for cancer treatment and ranibizumab (Lucentis) for vision-related disorders. His research at Genentech and later at UC San Diego has significantly advanced our understanding of angiogenesis and its role in disease processes. His laboratory continues to investigate alternative pathways in tumor angiogenesis that could lead to new therapeutic approaches for patients resistant to current VEGF inhibitors.