Professor Olle Söder awarded the 2025 Andrea Prader Prize

The European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) has awarded its highest honour, the Andrea Prader Prize 2025, to Professor Emeritus Olle Söder. The prize recognises exceptional leadership and a lifetime of contributions to research, clinical care, and education in paediatric endocrinology.

The Andrea Prader Prize, named after Swiss endocrinology pioneer Andrea Prader, recognises individuals whose professional achievements have significantly shaped the field. Professor Söder is now the third Swedish recipient since the prize was established in 1988.

Olle Söder is a retired senior consultant and paediatric endocrinologist who has played a central role in shaping the field, both in Sweden and internationally. His research has focused on reproductive endocrinology, using a translational approach that bridges laboratory science and clinical practice – “from bed to bench to bed”. This means combining laboratory-based methods with real clinical challenges, to directly benefit patients. One of his focus areas has been the effects of cancer therapies on future fertility in boys treated with testis-toxic chemotherapy before puberty, leading to the creation of the Nordic research network “Nordfertil”.

“Another area that has captured our interest is the possible impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment on the timing of puberty onset,” says Olle. “Together with international partners, we’ve attracted EU funding that has enabled broad and meaningful collaboration.”

In addition to his scientific work, Söder has been a passionate educator. He helped establish the ESPE Science School at KI, which has offered advanced courses in growth and endocrine disorders – not only in Stockholm but also at universities in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

“I’m truly honoured to receive this award,” says Olle. “It’s humbling to be included among such a distinguished group of previous recipients. As I move into a phase of declining new commitments, I still hope to support younger colleagues as a mentor and contribute ideas to new educational initiatives.”