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Cure Alzheimer's Fund Awards 2026 Jeffrey L. Morby Prize for Exceptional Research

On May 6, 2026, the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, a dedicated nonprofit organization that strives to advance research aimed at preventing, slowing, or reversing Alzheimer's disease (AD), officially announced the recipients of the highly esteemed third annual Jeffrey L. Morby Prize.

This year, the prize honored an impressive group of researchers: Dr. Randall J. Bateman and Dr. Kanta Horie from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, along with Dr. Oskar Hansson and Dr. Gemma Salvadó from Lund University in Sweden. Their collaboratively authored paper, titled “Plasma MTBR-tau243 biomarker identifies tau tangle pathology in Alzheimer's disease,” made significant waves in the scientific community when it was published in Nature Medicine in March 2025.

Established in 2024, the Morby Prize recognizes and celebrates exceptional contributions to the field of Alzheimer's research, specifically targeted at transformative scientific publications aimed at enhancing our understanding of this complex disease. The award stands as a tribute to the late Jeffrey L. Morby, the co-founder of Cure Alzheimer's Fund, whose enduring mission supports research as a means to eradicate Alzheimer's disease. His passing in September 2023 left a legacy of hope and inspiration.

Meg Smith, CEO of Cure Alzheimer's Fund, remarked on the importance of this recognition: “Jeff had an immense respect for scientists and shared their unwavering commitment to curing Alzheimer's disease. This award highlights the need for supporting vital research, a value that Jeff championed throughout his life.” Recognizing the hardship Alzheimer's patients and families face, Smith further asserted the recognition of researchers’ groundbreaking work is a fitting homage to Morby’s remarkable legacy.

The focus of the award-winning paper addresses an urgent requirement in Alzheimer's disease diagnostics: the development of a blood test that accurately reflects the presence of tau tangles, a hallmark of the disease’s pathology in the brain. The research introduced plasma eMTBR-tau243 as the first reliable blood-based biomarker for identifying tau tangles in AD, which is expected to become an essential diagnostic tool in the upcoming years.

Emerging data indicates that immunotherapies targeting amyloid are most efficacious in patients with minimal tau pathology; however, current imaging techniques, like PET scans for tau measurement, remain prohibitively expensive and are not widely accessible in clinical settings. Meg Smith emphasized, “An accessible blood test for tau tangles presents a crucial advancement toward implementing precision medicine within Alzheimer’s treatment, ensuring that therapies reach the right individuals while facilitating the development of tau-targeted treatments in the future.”

Dr. Bateman, the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Distinguished Professor of Neurology at WashU Medicine, expressed gratitude for the recognition: “Receiving the Morby Prize acknowledges the collaborative effort to deliver tau tangle blood biomarkers to researchers and clinicians. These tests are instrumental in enhancing our ability to detect and measure pathological changes in Alzheimer’s accurately.” The advanced plasma test is actively being utilized in ongoing clinical trials and research studies and holds promise for becoming an integral component of clinical care, providing clearer answers to patients and their families regarding Alzheimer’s disease.

The Cure Alzheimer's Fund has solidified its commitment to end Alzheimer’s disease by investing more than $270 million into promising research initiatives since its inception in 2004. With a cherished history of guiding donations directly to research programs, the Fund has consistently achieved outstanding ratings, reflecting its dedication to transparency and accountability in delivering hope and solutions within the realm of Alzheimer's research.

To learn more about the Cure Alzheimer's Fund and its initiatives, visit curealz.org.