2011 Balzan Prize for Immunology

The 2011 Balzan Prize for Immunology was awarded to recognize groundbreaking research that advanced our understanding of the immune system—the body's natural defense against diseases. The prize highlighted scientists who made significant discoveries about how the immune system detects and fights infections, and how it can sometimes mistakenly attack the body itself, leading to autoimmune diseases. These insights have paved the way for developing better vaccines, treatments for autoimmune conditions, and cancer immunotherapies, ultimately improving health outcomes worldwide.