Large hero image 1
Small hero image-1

THE SVAR COMPLEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD

An award to recognize and support researchers within the complement field.

As a company invested and dedicated to the complement path, Svar is proud to establish the Svar Complement Excellence Award, aimed at recognizing outstanding contributions to the complement field by scientists and physicians worldwide.

What is The Svar Complement Excellence Award?

The Svar Complement Excellence Award is annually celebrated to acknowledge the remarkable international contributions made by researchers and physicians in the field of complement.

Designed to stimulate and advance complement research globally, this award grants €20,000 to two deserving recipients.

The awards target two different career stages for academics:

  • one for early career researchers (5-12 years post-Ph.D.)

  • one for medium career researchers (13-20 years post-Ph.D.).

A committee of complement experts collectively decides on the winners.

We encourage nominations and applications from the complement community, empowering individuals to put themselves forward or spotlight other deserving candidates.

Apply or Nominate Here

Who is Eligible for The Award

Minimum requirements for those eligible are:

  • Must have a Ph.D.

  • One prize is reserved for someone with 5-12 years of active research after Ph.D. completion*.

  • One prize is reserved for someone with 13-20 years of active research after Ph.D. completion*.

Considerations will be given to the number of publications, impacts, citations, etc., but the final decision will be taken by the experts in the committee, who will evaluate a range of factors including past and future projects, the effect of the findings on understandings of the complement system, and on future therapeutic and/or diagnostic potentials.

* Applicants must provide a dated Ph.D. certificate at the time of application. Leave of absence (such as military service or parental leave) is discounted from the overall career duration.

Applications and nominations for the 2026 Complement Excellence Award will open 18th March and close 7th June.

Apply for the Award

Nominate Someone for the Award

The Svar Complement Excellence Award Committee

The committee consists of two members from the International Complement Society (ICS), two members from the European Complement Network (ECN), the winners of the Svar Complement Excellence Award in the proceeding year, and one industry representative.

The committee members are selected for the expertise they contribute across international complement research, academic scholarship, and industry innovation. By bringing together these diverse perspectives, we ensure a balanced and informed evaluation process.

We are committed to maintaining broad representation and continually strive for diversity in gender, geography, and professional background within the committee.

Names and biographies of the members will be uploaded as information becomes available.

The Committee for 2026

Will be announced during February 2026

Previous Complement Excellence Award Winners

  • 2025

     

    Simon Clark

    Prof. Simon Clark researches how complement dysregulation drives age‑related macular degeneration (AMD). 
    His work revealed how complement factors interact within the retinal matrix, reshaping our understanding of tissue‑specific complement control
    He also built one of Europe’s largest human eye tissue resources and is pioneering retinal organoid models, accelerating the development of next‑generation complement‑targeted therapies for blinding diseases.

    Read our interview with Prof. Simon Clark

     

    Photo approved John Lee-1Dr. John Lee work has uncovered how complement pathways influence diseases such as ALS and Parkinson’s, bringing new possibilities for treatment. His research targets receptors like C5aR1 and C3aR and explores innovative strategies including peptide drugs, antisense oligonucleotides, and precision delivery systems that fine-tune complement activity rather than shut it down completely. 

    Read our interview with Dr John Lee

  • 2024

     

    Elena GoicocheaDr. Elena Goicoechea de Jorge is a leading figure in research on complement-mediated diseases like aHUS and C3G. Her work highlights the role of factor H (FH) and FH-related proteins (FHRs) in alternative pathway overactivation. She is also pioneering the use of AI to analyze genetic data, advancing personalized medicine.

     

    Read our interview with Dr. Goicoechea de Jorge

     

    Sophie ChauvetDr. Sophie Chauvet's research focuses on complement-mediated kidney diseases like C3G and aHUS, where she has identified biomarkers to better predict patient outcomes. With her team, she is pushing boundaries by exploring innovative treatments like bispecific antibodies to regulate complement activity.

     

    Read our interview with Dr. Sophie Chauvet

  • 2023

     

    Hrishikesh KulkarniDr. Hrishikesh S. Kulkarni's research has uncovered how locally produced complement proteins drive lung injury and protection. He is advancing precision approaches to target complement activity directly within the lung, opening new avenues for personalized therapies.

     

    Read our interview with Dr. Hrishikesh S. Kulkarni

     

    Christina Lamers-1Dr. Christina Lamers has pioneered the use of cyclic peptides and structure‑based design to develop next‑generation C3 inhibitors. She has also expanded the use of phage display and peptide engineering to create high‑affinity tools that deepen our understanding of complement biology.

     

    Read our interview with Dr. Christina Lamers

  • 2022

     

    Prof. Lubka RoumeninaProf. Lubka T. Roumenina research has focussed on uncovering how complement activation drives heme‑mediated disorders such as aHUS, sickle‑cell disease, and rhabdomyolysis‑associated kidney injury. Her work has also revealed unexpected intracellular roles for complement proteins, reshaping our understanding of their function in cancer and opening new avenues for targeted, context‑specific therapies and biomarkers.
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Christoph SchmidtDr. Christoph Schmidt's research has redefined core mechanisms of complement activation. His work on Factor H and engineered regulators like miniFH is advancing next‑generation, enzyme‑like complement therapeutics with greater precision and efficiency, paving the way for more targeted and effective complement‑modulating treatments.