STOCKHOLM — The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday, honouring foundational work on how the immune system distinguishes self from non-self.

The prize in medicine is traditionally the first of the scientific Nobels announced each year, followed by physics on Tuesday and chemistry on Wednesday. The Nobel Assembly, comprising 50 professors at the Karolinska Institute, selects the laureates through a secret vote held the morning of the announcement.

The committee presented the laureates' work at a televised press conference at the Karolinska Institute shortly after 11:30 local time. Each laureate shares the prize sum of 11 million Swedish kronor.

The award recognises discoveries that reshaped understanding of autoimmune disease and transplantation. Research into immune tolerance and regulatory mechanisms has underpinned advances in treating conditions ranging from vitiligo to organ rejection. Pfizer reported Phase 3 results last week for its JAK inhibitor LITFULO in vitiligo, illustrating the clinical momentum built on decades of immunology.

The laureates will receive their medals and diplomas from King Carl XVI Gustaf at the formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.