MIT Institute Professor Robert S. Langer received the 2008 Millennium Technology Prize for his work in developing new biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration. By helping to fight illnesses like cancer and heart disease, the citation read, Langer's innovations "have a positive impact on ... quality of life," a major criterion for the reward.

The biennial prize and a monetary award of 800,000 euros (about $1.2 million) were presented to Langer on June 11 in Helsinki. "It's certainly the biggest and most prestigious award I've won, and I'm very flattered to have won it," Langer said.