Daniel Joshua Drucker (born 23 June 1956) is a Canadian endocrinologist renowned for his breakthrough discoveries of the biological actions of glucagon-like peptides GLP-1 and GLP-2, including GLP-1's key role in stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, reducing food intake, protecting the heart, and reducing systemic inflammation. His scientific research has been a driving force in GLP-1's journey from a newly discovered peptide sequence to the mechanism behind globally used and life-changing therapeutics for type 2 diabetes and obesity. It has also driven transformative new therapeutics for intestinal failure and other metabolic disorders. A

Fellow of the Royal Society Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS, ForMemRS and HonFRS) is an award granted by the Fellows of the Royal Society of London to individuals who have made a "substantial contribution to the improvement of natural science, natural knowledge, incl ...

, and laureate of the 2023

Wolf Prize in Medicine The Wolf Prize in Medicine is awarded annually by the Wolf Foundation in Israel. It is one of the six Wolf Prizes established by the Foundation and awarded since 1978; the others are in Agriculture, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Arts. The ...

, he is a University Professor of Medicine at the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university whose main campus is located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded by ...

and Senior Investigator at the

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute is a medical research, medical research institute in Toronto, Ontario and part of the Sinai Health System. It was originally established in 1985 as the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, the research ...

, Sinai Health,

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Early life and education

Drucker was born and grew up in Montreal, went to high school in Ottawa, and then enrolled at the

University of Ottawa The University of Ottawa (), often referred to as uOttawa or U of O, is a Official bilingualism in Canada, bilingual public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on directly to the northeast of Downtown Ot ...

, studying science. In 1976, he moved to Toronto, where he studied medicine at the

, graduating in 1980. He completed his internship at

Johns Hopkins Hospital Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1889, Johns Hopkins Hospital and its school of medicine are considered to be the foundin ...

(1980–81), and completed his

internal medicine Internal medicine, also known as general medicine in Commonwealth nations, is a medical specialty for medical doctors focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in adults. Its namesake stems from "treatment of diseases of ...

and

endocrinology Endocrinology (from ''endocrine system, endocrine'' + ''wikt:-logy#Suffix, -ology'') is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones. It is also concerned with the ...

residencies at the

(1981–84).

Career and research

In 1984, Drucker began his research career at

Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General or MGH) is a teaching hospital located in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It is the original and largest clinical education and research facility of Harvard Medical School/Harvar ...

and

Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the medical school of Harvard University and is located in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1782, HMS is the third oldest medical school in the Un ...

, studying molecular endocrinology in the lab of Professor Joel Habener with the support from a Medical Research Council of Canada Centennial Fellowship. Drucker’s independent discoveries in Boston included the demonstration that

proglucagon Proglucagon is a protein that is a precursor of glucagon and several other components. It is cleaved from preproglucagon. Proglucagon is generated in the alpha cells of the pancreas and in the intestinal L cells in the distal ileum and colon. ...

could be cleaved into multiple glucagon-like peptides, including several distinct isoforms of

GLP-1 Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a 30- or 31-amino-acid-long peptide hormone deriving from tissue-specific posttranslational processing of the proglucagon peptide. It is produced and secreted by intestinal enteroendocrine L-cells and certai ...

. He then discovered that the truncated form of GLP-1(7-37) directly stimulated

cyclic AMP Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP, cyclic AMP, or 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate) is a second messenger, or cellular signal occurring within cells, that is important in many biological processes. cAMP is a derivative of adenosine triph ...

formation,

insulin Insulin (, from Latin ''insula'', 'island') is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreatic islets encoded in humans by the insulin (''INS)'' gene. It is the main Anabolism, anabolic hormone of the body. It regulates the metabol ...

secretion, and insulin

gene expression Gene expression is the process (including its Regulation of gene expression, regulation) by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product that enables it to produce end products, proteins or non-coding RNA, ...

; notably, it did so only when glucose levels were elevated.

Further discoveries of the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 at University of Toronto

In 1987 Drucker returned to Toronto, taking on the position of Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and continuing his research on the glucagon-like peptides while also working as a physician. In 1996, Drucker was one of several investigators who demonstrated that GLP-1 reduced food intake in preclinical studies. Notably, the experiments in the Drucker lab demonstrated that this action of GLP-1 in the brain required the functional canonical GLP-1 receptor. Drucker, together with colleagues at Tufts Universities, filed multiple patents describing the utility of targeting the DPP-4 enzyme, and published studies demonstrating that genetic or chemical inactivation of DPP-4 prevented degradation of GLP-1 and GIP, supporting the development of

DPP-4 inhibitors Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4 inhibitors or gliptins) are a class of oral hypoglycemics that Enzyme inhibitors, block the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). They can be used to treat diabetes mellitus type 2. The first agent of ...

for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In all, Drucker's discovery science has led to 33 issued US patents supporting translational drug development efforts in the field of peptide based therapeutics. Collectively, the body of work from multiple investigators and companies led to the development of two leading classes of

diabetes medication Drugs used in diabetes treat types of diabetes mellitus by decreasing glucose levels in the blood. With the exception of insulin, most GLP-1 receptor agonists ( liraglutide, exenatide, and others), and pramlintide, all diabetes medications a ...

GLP-1 receptor agonist Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1 analogs, GLP-1RAs, or incretin mimetics, are a class of anorectic drugs that reduce blood sugar and energy intake by activating the GLP-1 receptor. They mimic the actions of ...

s and DPP4 inhibitors.

Discovery of GLP-2 actions leading to Short Bowel Syndrome treatments

In 1996, Drucker also discovered the first biological actions for GLP-2, demonstrating that it augmented crypt cell proliferation and expansion of the mucosal epithelium in the

small bowel The small intestine or small bowel is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intestine, and receives bile and pancreatic juice through the p ...

of mice and rats. He subsequently identified and characterized a DPP-4-resistant molecule, teduglutide, that was ultimately developed and approved for the treatment of

short bowel syndrome Short bowel syndrome (SBS, or simply short gut) is a rare malabsorption disorder caused by a lack of functional small intestine. The primary symptom is diarrhea, which can result in dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss. Other symptoms may i ...

in adults and children, a disorder in which fluids are poorly absorbed after resection of the small intestine.

Research supporting the development, safety and benefits of GLP-1 therapeutics

Drucker joined the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto in 2006. In 2008 he led studies aimed at the development and testing of the first long-acting, once-weekly version of the diabetes medication

exenatide Exenatide, sold under the brand name Byetta among others, is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is used together with diet, exercise, and potentially other antidiabetic medication. It is a treatment option after metformin and sulf ...

. He later studied the long-term effects of related weight-loss medicines on bowel health. Drucker has also led the identification of the cardioprotective mechanisms of GLP-1 action. Notably, in 2009 he demonstrated in mice that these effects were not dependent on glucose lowering or weight loss – findings confirmed over a decade later in cardiovascular outcome trials. His discoveries predicted the safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists for their expanding applications to treat obesity and other chronic conditions. Most recently, Drucker has identified multiple mechanisms linking GLP-1 to the reduction of inflammation^. Drucker holds the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre-Novo Nordisk Chair in

Incretin Incretins are a group of metabolic hormones that decrease Blood sugar level, blood glucose levels. Incretins are released after eating and augment the secretion of insulin released from Pancreas, pancreatic beta cells of the islets of Langerhans ...

Biology. His many national and international recognitions include the 2023

, awarded for "pioneering work in elucidating the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of enteroendocrine hormones," as well as the

Warren Alpert Foundation Prize The Warren Alpert Foundation Prize is awarded annually to scientist(s) whose scientific achievements have led to the prevention, cure or treatment of human diseases or disorders, and/or whose research constitutes a seminal scientific finding that h ...

and the

Canada Gairdner International Award The Canada Gairdner International Award is given annually by the Gairdner Foundation at a special dinner to five individuals for outstanding discoveries or contributions to medical science. Receipt of the Gairdner is traditionally considered a ...

, among numerous others. Drucker was elected a Royal Society Fellow in 2015, a National Academy of Sciences International Member in 2021and a National Academy of Medicine International Member in 2023. In 2024, he was named among ''Time'' magazine's 100 most influential people.

Awards and honours

* 2007 Donald F. Steiner Award for Outstanding Diabetes Research,

University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, or UChi) is a Private university, private research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its main campus is in the Hyde Park, Chicago, Hyde Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Chic ...

* 200
Prix Galien Canada
for Outstanding Pharmaceutical Research * 2009 Clinical Investigator Award,

Endocrine Society The Endocrine Society is a professional, international medical organization in the field of endocrinology and metabolism, founded in 1916 as The Association for the Study of Internal Secretions. The official name of the organization was changed t ...

* 2012

Claude Bernard Claude Bernard (; 12 July 1813 – 10 February 1878) was a French physiologist. I. Bernard Cohen of Harvard University called Bernard "one of the greatest of all men of science". He originated the term ''milieu intérieur'' and the associated c ...

Prize,

European Association for the Study of Diabetes The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) is a scientific association founded in Montecatini Terme, Italy in 1965 with Joseph Hoet as Founding President. The aims of the association are to encourage and support research in the fie ...

* 2012 Fellow of the

Royal Society of Canada The Royal Society of Canada (RSC; , SRC), also known as the Academies of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences of Canada (French: ''Académies des arts, des lettres et des sciences du Canada''), is the senior national, bilingual council of distinguishe ...

* 2013 Oon International Award for Preventative Medicine,

University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...

* 2014

Banting Medal The Banting Medal, officially the Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement, is an annual award conferred by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), which is the highest award of ADA. Inaugurated in 1941, the prize is given in memory of Sir Frederic ...

for Scientific Achievement,

American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a United States-based nonprofit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes and to help those affected by it through funding research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes, including type 1 diabetes ...

* 2014 Manpei Suzuki Foundation International Prize for Diabetes, Japan * 2015 Fellow of the

Royal Society The Royal Society, formally The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, is a learned society and the United Kingdom's national academy of sciences. The society fulfils a number of roles: promoting science and its benefits, re ...

* 2015 Officer of the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada () is a Canadian state order, national order and the second-highest Award, honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the Canadian Centennial, ce ...

* 2017 Rolf Luft Award in Endocrinology and Diabetes Research,

Karolinska Institute The Karolinska Institute (KI; ; sometimes known as the (Royal) Caroline Institute in English) is a research-led medical university in Solna within the Stockholm urban area of Sweden and one of the foremost medical research institutes globally ...

* 2017 Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine,

American Society for Clinical Investigation The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), established in 1908, is one of the oldest and most respected medical honor societies in the United States. Organization and purpose The ASCI is an honorary society to which more than 2,800 p ...

and the Harrington Institute (co-recipient with Joel Habener and

Jens Juul Holst Jens Juul Holst (born 1 August 1945) is a Danish physician and physiologist. He is known for discovering and describing the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone in the gut that plays an important role in the onset and development of ...

) * 2019 Harold Hamm International Prize for Biomedical Research in Diabetes * 2019

Novo Nordisk Foundation The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) is an international enterprise foundation focusing on medical treatment and research. In 2023, the foundation had a net worth of DKK 1,114 billion (167 billion), making it the wealthiest charitable foundation ...

and

Prize for Excellence in Diabetes Research (watch th
mini documentary about Drucker
produced by the Novo Nordisk Foundation for the occasion) * 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award, Helmholtz Diabetes Centre, Germany * 2020 John Baxter Award for Entrepreneurship,

* 2020 Transatlantic Medal,

Society for Endocrinology The Society for Endocrinology is an international membership organisation and registered charity representing scientists, clinicians and nurses who work with hormones. The Society was established in 1946, and currently has approximately 3,000 mem ...

* 2020

for Biomedical Research (co-recipient with Joel Habener and

) * 2021 International Member,

National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, NGO, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the ...

* 2021

(co-recipient with Joel Habener and

) * 2022 Inductee of the

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame __NOTOC__ The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has an exhibit hall in London, ...

* 2023

* 2023 International Member of the

National Academy of Medicine The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), known as the Institute of Medicine (IoM) until 2015, is an American nonprofit, non-governmental organization. The National Academy of Medicine is a part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineerin ...

* 2023

VinFuture Prize The VinFuture Prize is an international award established in Vietnam in 2020 to recognize achievements in science and technology. It is presented annually by the VinFuture Foundation. According to the Foundation, the prize aims to support resear ...

for Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields (co-recipient with Joel Habener,

and

Svetlana Mojsov Svetlana Mojsov is a Yugoslav-born Macedonian American chemist who is a research associate professor at Rockefeller University. Her research considers peptide synthesis. She discovered the glucagon-like peptide-1 and uncovered its role in gluc ...

) * 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research (co-recipient with

Jeffrey M. Friedman Jeffrey M. Friedman (born July 20, 1954) is a molecular geneticist at New York City's Rockefeller University and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. His discovery of the hormone leptin and its role in regulating body weight ha ...

, Joel Habener,

and

) * 2024 Time100 Most Influential People and Time100 Health * 2024 Golden Plate Award,

American Academy of Achievement The American Academy of Achievement, colloquially known as the Academy of Achievement, is a nonprofit educational organization that recognizes some of the highest-achieving people in diverse fields and gives them the opportunity to meet one ano ...

* 2024 Fred Conrad Koch Lifetime Achievement Award,

* 2024 TOPS Research Achievement Award,

The Obesity Society The Obesity Society is a scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity and its treatment. It was founded in 1982 and has approximately 2,500 members. The official scientific journal of the society is ''Obesity'', which is available in print ...

* 2025 Warren Triennial Prize,

(co-recipient with Joel Habener and

) * 2025

BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards () are an international award programme recognizing significant contributions in the areas of scientific research and cultural creation. The categories that make up the Frontiers of Knowledge Awards ...

in Biology and Biomedicine (co-recipient with Joel Habener,

and

) * 2025 Solomon A. Berson Award, American Physiology Society * 2025

Breakthrough Prize The Breakthrough Prizes are a set of international awards bestowed in three categories by the Breakthrough Prize Board in recognition of scientific advances. The awards are part of several "Breakthrough" initiatives founded and funded by Yuri M ...

in Life Sciences (co-recipient with Joel Habener,

and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen)

Selected publications

* * * * * * * * * *

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Drucker, Daniel J. 1956 births Living people Canadian fellows of the Royal Society University of Toronto alumni Academic staff of the University of Toronto Officers of the Order of Canada Academics from Montreal University of Ottawa alumni Foreign associates of the National Academy of Sciences Members of the National Academy of Medicine Johns Hopkins Hospital physicians Harvard Medical School people Massachusetts General Hospital fellows