Andrew Wilks has made outstanding contributions both as an academic scientist and in the commercial application of his own basic research. He discovered the JAK kinases, and paved he way for understanding their role as key components of cytokine signal transduction pathways. He is the founder of the successful drug discovery company Cytopia where clinical trials on new drugs that may benefit cancer patients are underway. Wilks also co-discovered VEGF-D, a clinically interesting regulator of blood vessel formation. Thus he has an outstanding track record of innovative yet practically-oriented research and of effectively developing and commercialising his discoveries.