Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to Drew Weissman and Katalin Kariko on Tuesday to offer his congratulations to them for winning this year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine.

His Holiness writes, “The path-breaking technology that the two of you developed,” he wrote, “led to the production of the mRNA Covid vaccines. Your work set an example of how scientific research can make a real contribution to the well-being of humanity at large. Your research, begun before the Covid pandemic occurred, saved a vast number of lives throughout the world. I applaud your achievement and the way you have made your lives meaningful through dedicated service for the benefit of others”. His Holiness further underscored the vital role of the scientific community in creating a better and safer place for everyone.