Josef Smolen

Josef Smolen (born March 24, 1950[1][2]) is an Austrian rheumatologist and immunologist and professor emeritus at the Medical University of Vienna.

[3] Smolen graduated from the Bundesrealgymnasium I Stubenbastei in 1968[6] and then studied medicine at the University of Vienna, where he obtained his doctorate in January 1975.

[9] In 1989, he was appointed head of the 2nd Medical Department of the Lainz Hospital of the City of Vienna (Center for Diagnostics and Therapy of Rheumatic Diseases), a position he held until the end of 2017.

[25] Together with Kurt Redlich and Daniel Aletaha, he is the founder of the German-languaged scientific journal "Fakten der Rheumatologie"[26] published by MedMedia Verlag.

[citation needed] Smolen has published more than 700 scientific papers, including in the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, Nature Medicine, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases and Journal of Clinical Investigation, on topics relating to immunology and rheumatology, with his research activities focusing on the pathogenesis and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

[28] The innovative therapies whose development he has significantly influenced include biologics such as monoclonal antibodies against TNF (infliximab, golimumab, certolizumab)[29][30][31] or the IL-6 receptor (tocilizumab)[32] as well as Janus kinase inhibitors (baricitinib, upadacitinib).

[58] Smolen has been one of the Highly Cited Researchers for many years[59][60] and is a much sought-after speaker and teacher at international and national congresses and other events.