16 July 2026
The Champalimaud Foundation received the news of the passing of Susumu Tonegawa with deep sadness. Awarded the 1987 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, his pioneering work on the generation of antibody diversity transformed our understanding of the immune system forever.
To us, Tonegawa was not only a giant of world science, he was also a cherished friend of the Champalimaud Foundation.
Present from the Champalimaud Foundation's earliest and most formative years, he helped shape its scientific DNA, contributing to the model that continues to guide us today: science that is ambitious, rigorous and committed to making a real difference to people's lives.
Over the years, he remained closely involved with the Champalimaud Foundation, serving as a member of its Scientific Council and as a member of the jury for the António Champalimaud Vision Award, bringing the same clarity of thought and intellectual generosity that defined him to every meeting.
In the words of Leonor Beleza, President of the Champalimaud Foundation:
"Susumu Tonegawa had a unique way of approaching problems – direct, courageous and always ahead of his time. We learned a great deal from him. The Foundation we are today would not be the same without his presence and his vision."
We bid him farewell with gratitude and admiration.
