Scripps Research professor Jeffery Kelly elected to the European Academy of Engineering
August 25, 2026
Jeffery Kelly. Credit: Scripps Research
LA JOLLA, CA—Jeffery Kelly, the H. Lutcher Brown Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research, has been elected as a member of the European Academy of Engineering for his contributions to understanding how proteins fold, misfold and aggregate. Kelly’s findings laid the groundwork for therapeutics for diseases linked to proteins that fold incorrectly or clump together. Membership recognizes professionals who have made exceptional contributions to engineering and technology.
Founded in 1992 in Sweden, the European Academy of Engineering is a distinguished institution that gathers experts across diverse engineering fields to advise on a range of issues within policy, public health and education. Members are elected by their peers across 13 engineering classes, each representing a specialized discipline. Kelly is included within the Biomedical Engineering class.
Kelly’s research combines chemical, biophysical and biological approaches to probe the impacts of protein folding in a variety of disease contexts. In his work on transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy (neurodegeneration) and cardiomyopathy (a type of heart disease), Kelly uncovered the mechanism of protein clumping, along with strategies to inhibit it, which led to the creation of the FDA-approved therapeutics Vyndamax® (tafamidis) and Vyndaqel® (tafamidis meglumine).
For his research, Kelly recently received the Canada Gairdner International Award. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and granted the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 2023 as well as the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2022, prior to which he has earned numerous other accolades.
Fixing the misfolded proteins that cause dementia and heart failure
All proteins have a correct way of “folding” themselves into their 3D structures. When this folding process goes awry, including processes leading to protein misassembly, a number of devastating diseases can result. In this Front Row lecture, Scripps Research professor Jeffery Kelly shared how he's developing novel therapeutic strategies to target these protein misfolding diseases, which lead to deterioration of the heart and brain. His multi-disciplinary research has already led to the development of an FDA-approved drug available in the pharmacy called tafamidis (Vyndaqel® and Vyndamax®): a medicine that slows the progression of the neurodegenerative disease familial amyloid polyneuropathy and the degenerative heart disease called TTR cardiomyopathy.
Tafamidis: A revolutionary drug for treating neurodegenerative and heart diseases
Scripps Research professor Jeffery Kelly received an unexpected visit from a patient whose life was dramatically improved by tafamidis—a revolutionary drug for treating neurodegenerative and heart diseases, developed by Kelly himself. Kelly is a leading figure at Scripps Research, spearheading efforts to address some of the most pressing medical challenges, including Alzheimer’s and various amyloid diseases. His cutting-edge research on protein misfolding has not only led to the development of tafamidis but has also broadened our understanding of protein aggregation disorders.
Front Row spotlight with Jeffery Kelly
Scripps Research professor Jeffery Kelly received an unexpected visit from a patient whose life was dramatically improved by tafamidis—a revolutionary drug for treating neurodegenerative and heart diseases, developed by Kelly himself. Kelly is a leading figure at Scripps Research, spearheading efforts to address some of the most pressing medical challenges, including Alzheimer’s and various amyloid diseases. His cutting-edge research on protein misfolding has not only led to the development of tafamidis but has also broadened our understanding of protein aggregation disorders.
An engine for new medicines: A century of science changing life
Calibr, a nonprofit research institute founded by Scripps Research President and CEO Pete Schultz, joined Scripps Research in 2018 as its drug discovery division. As a world-class nonprofit “bench to bedside” drug discovery engine, Calibr delivers groundbreaking solutions to unmet medical needs by uniting the creativity of fundamental discovery with highly focused R&D capabilities and expertise.
