Facebook, Google Create $3 Million 'Nobel Prize' Life Sciences Award

Facebook and Google have set aside their differences to create $3 million "Breakthrough in Life Sciences Award."

And the collaboration between the two rivals also involves their spouses.

Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan worked alongside Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife Anne Wojcicki to create the award that is worth more than double that of the Nobel Prize.

"Priscilla and I are honored to be a part of this," Zuckerberg said as reported by France 24. "We believe the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences has the potential to provide a platform for other models of philanthropy, so people everywhere have an opportunity at a better future."

Venture capitalist Yuri Milner, who bought a $200 million stake in Facebook in 2009, reportedly asked Zuckerberg and Brin to establish the prize.

"Unfortunately I have two very close relatives with very bad diseases. One of them is cancer," he said as reported by the Daily Mail. "This is part of my personal connection with this prize. Young people will hopefully get the message that not only the careers in sports or entertainment can get a public recognition."

Brin also offered insight into the motivation behind the new award.

"Curing a disease should be worth more than a touchdown," he said.

And the Google co-founder's wife said that she is excited about the prize -- which will be awarded annually to five scientists as opposed to this first round of recommendations that included 11 scientists.

"We are thrilled to support scientists who think big, take risks and have made a significant impact on our lives," she said. "These scientists should be household names and heroes in society."

A ceremony is not scheduled for this year's awards but the winners are expected to conduct interviews throughout the year and be involved in selecting future award candidates.

(SOURCE)