Michael Sela

The Arthur Rubinstein International Music Association mourns the passing away of Professor Michael Sela (2 March 1924 – 27 May 2022).

Prof. Sela was a renowned biochemist, professor of immunology, and the sixth president of the Weizmann Institute of Science. He was a partner in the discovery of the drug Copaxone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and the drug Erbitux for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer. Winner of the Israel Prize in the field of life sciences in 1959.

While being a distinguished scientist, Michael very much appreciated arts & culture and saw great importance in sharing the wealth he earned with the world. He, together with his wife Sara, has made donations and supported all the major arts & culture institutions in Israel. Amongst them, Michael was a great supporter of the Rubinstein Competition and a member of its board of directors, from its early days when Rubinstein himself was still alive.

May he rest in peace and his legacy live on.

More about the work and achievements of Prof. Sela – Weizmann Institute of Science