Dr. Borla will receive the title for his extraordinary achievement in leading the development of the innovative vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the corona epidemic. The vaccine that helps in getting out of the corona crisis is expected to be a model for the development of a wide variety of mRNA-based treatments
Technion President Prof. Uri Sion announced that the Technion will award an honorary doctorate for 2021 to Pfizer CEO and Chairman Dr. Albert Borla. Dr. Borla will receive the title for his extraordinary achievement in leading the development of the innovative vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the corona epidemic. The vaccine that helps in getting out of the corona crisis is expected to be a model for the development of a wide variety of mRNA-based treatments.
"As chairman of the board of directors of Pfizer, Dr. Borla led the complex effort to develop a vaccine for the corona virus in record time," he explained Technion President Prof. Uri Sion. "During his 27 years of work at Pfizer, Dr. Borla promoted the company in many areas, including technological innovation. The development of the corona vaccine is an extraordinary biotechnological achievement that illustrates the importance of science and interdisciplinary research. The vaccine will bring a balm to all of humanity and, together with other vaccines, will rescue the world from the crisis we found ourselves in following the outbreak of the plague at the end of 2019. The family story of Dr. Borla, son of Holocaust survivors from Thessaloniki, is a symbol of the Jewish people's miraculous life and its ability to regenerate after the Holocaust."
"I am excited by the news and receiving the degree from the Technion - an institution of great importance and impressive heritage," said Dr. Borla to the president of the Technion in the telephone conversation in which he was informed of receiving the degree. "In my youth, I considered studying at the Technion, so this is an exciting closing of the circle for me."
Dr. Albert Borla Born in Thessaloniki in 1961 to a Jewish family, part of which perished in the Holocaust. His family, who came to Greece following the expulsion from Spain, dealt in jewelry and diamonds and their business spread over many countries. The community of Thessaloniki, which was the largest Jewish community in Greece, numbered about 80 thousand people in the XNUMXs; About two thirds of them perished in the Holocaust.
Dr. Borela completed all his academic degrees at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and is a doctor in veterinary medicine and reproductive biotechnology. In 1993, he joined the giant Pfizer, one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies, and since then has held a series of positions in it. He led the development of antibodies in the company and was the president of VOC - the global division that leads vaccines, oncology and patient health at Pfizer. In October 2018, he was appointed the chief operating officer of Pfizer, in 2019 he was appointed the company's CEO and in 2020 he also began serving as the company's chairman.
In recent years, Dr. Borla has led Pfizer in strengthening ties with technology companies and in the adoption of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence. At the beginning of 2020, following the global outbreak of the Corona epidemic, he harnessed most of the company's resources to develop the vaccine for the virus, while meeting challenging schedules. All along, Dr. Borla promised that he would not compromise on the safety of the vaccine, and the approval was received after an extensive study that included more than 40 subjects.
The title will be awarded to him in November 2021 as part of the Cortorium, the Technion's annual Board of Trustees meeting.
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