In the world of medical research, there are rare moments when one discovery changes everything. Dr. Daniel Drucker, Senior Investigator at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI) experienced one of those moments.
The renowned scientist, whose pioneering research led to the development of Ozempic and other blockbuster drugs for diabetes and obesity, walked the red carpet in April 2025 in Los Angeles at the “Oscars of Science“ to receive the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Dr. Drucker was recognized for his discovery and characterization of the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and its transformative impact in treating diabetes and obesity.
Yet Dr. Drucker’s motivation has never been the spotlight; rather, it’s the lives impacted by the science. Watch as he shares the story of how it all began: the early days of discovery, the family that inspires him and the discovery that changed the course of medicine.
Established in 2012, the annual Breakthrough Prizes recognize transformative advances that improve human health, as well as achievements in physics and mathematics. Dr. Drucker shares this honour with four other researchers who contributed to GLP-1 discoveries: Dr. Joel Habener (Harvard University), Dr. Svetlana Mojsov (Rockefeller University), Dr. Jens Holst (University of Copenhagen) and Dr. Lotte Knudsen (Novo Nordisk).
Dr. Drucker has dedicated his career to understanding how GLP-1 and the medicines based on it work at a cellular and molecular level.
These compounds mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which is produced in the gut and impacts different parts of the body. It stimulates insulin secretion in the pancreas, a key mechanism leveraged in the treatment of diabetes. Additionally, it targets the brain to suppress appetite, offering significant benefits for obesity management. Recent clinical trials have also highlighted its protective effect on the heart. All three breakthroughs stem directly from Dr. Drucker’s research.
But there are even more potential health benefits. First observed anecdotally through patient testimonies, some of these effects are now being rigorously investigated in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, addiction and more. As GLP-1–based medicines gain widespread attention for their effectiveness in weight loss and heart disease, Dr. Drucker and his team are working to unlock their full potential.
For nearly two decades, Dr. Drucker has called Mount Sinai Hospital and LTRI home, continuing Toronto’s legacy as a global leader in diabetes research. Even after more than three decades of research, his work is far from slowing down — in fact, it's more exciting than ever.