Three scientists associated with the broader Seattle life-sciences ecosystem shared Nobel Prizes across 2024 and 2025—but they were not all based in Seattle. David Baker, affiliated with the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design, shared the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In 2025, Mary Brunkow of Seattle-based Institute for Systems Biology and Fred Ramsdell of Sonoma Biotherapeutics shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Shimon Sakaguchi of Osaka University. Their work spans protein science and immune regulation, while the region’s biotech story also includes startups and investment.
Who are the three Nobel laureates associated with Seattle biotech?
The phrase “Seattle biotech” describes a regional ecosystem, not a claim that every laureate lives or works in Seattle. GeekWire’s October 6, 2025 report connects the three scientists to organizations spanning Seattle, the University of Washington, and Sonoma Biotherapeutics.
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| Laureate | Nobel award | Affiliation identified by GeekWire | Work recognized, as described by GeekWire |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Baker | 2024 Chemistry | University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design | Discoveries about protein molecular structure |
| Mary Brunkow | 2025 Physiology or Medicine, shared with Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi | Seattle-based Institute for Systems Biology | Research on regulatory T cells and immune tolerance |
| Fred Ramsdell | 2025 Physiology or Medicine, shared with Mary Brunkow and Shimon Sakaguchi | Sonoma Biotherapeutics | Research on regulatory T cells and immune tolerance |
The award years are consecutive, 2024 and 2025. GeekWire’s “three Nobel Prize winners in two years” framing counts Baker alongside Brunkow and Ramsdell; Sakaguchi was also a co-recipient of the 2025 award, but is affiliated with Osaka University rather than one of the Seattle-area organizations named in the story. GeekWire’s October 6, 2025 report is the source for the award and affiliation details here.
What did their research discover?
Baker: proteins and their structure
GeekWire describes Baker’s recognized work as more than two decades of discoveries about protein molecular structure. Proteins are molecules whose structures are central to how they function. The report says this work has contributed to medical therapies, new materials, and startups; that broad description does not establish the availability or outcome of any particular treatment.
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Brunkow and Ramsdell: immune tolerance
The 2025 Nobel recognition centered on regulatory T cells, often called Tregs, and immune tolerance. Tregs help prevent the immune system from attacking the body’s own cells. The report describes peripheral tolerance as the process by which the body distinguishes dangerous invaders from itself.
GeekWire says this line of research has led to therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. That is a report-level description of downstream applications, not a claim that a specific therapy is approved, available, or appropriate for an individual patient.
What does the Nobel news say about the region’s biotech industry?
The Nobel awards highlight scientific achievement, but they do not by themselves measure the size or financial health of a regional industry. GeekWire portrays Washington life sciences as a mix of research institutions, startups, and larger companies. It cites a Life Science Washington figure of $2.65 billion across 37 deals involving Washington life-sciences companies in 2024. This is the figure as attributed by GeekWire; it should not be read as an independently audited total here.
The same report says Baker held more than 100 patents and co-founded 21 biotech companies. It also cites several startup funding announcements and areas of work:
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- Tune Therapeutics: $175 million raised in January, with work on epigenetic editing—controlling gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.
- Callio Therapeutics: $187 million raised in March; the report describes its work as cancer treatment.
- Curevo: $110 million raised for shingles-vaccine development.
These sums and company descriptions are reported by GeekWire, not presented here as independently checked financing records or endorsements. The article does not establish that the companies’ work has produced a product available to patients.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the “Seattle biotech is on fire” claim
Pack Ventures founder and general partner Ken Horenstein wrote, “Seattle biotech is on fire with back to back winners of the Nobel Prize!!” GeekWire quoted the comment as a reaction to the awards. It is an individual’s characterization, not an independent industry assessment.
The more precise takeaway is that two consecutive Nobel award years brought recognition to scientists connected to organizations in the broader regional life-sciences network. Their affiliations are geographically distinct, and the Nobel news is one signal of scientific strength—not, by itself, a complete measure of local investment, company performance, or future commercial success.
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