Today the IPA/Bayer award is bestowed for the fifth time. On behalf of Bayer, I would like to thank the participants, who by their sheer number and level of scientific quality have made this contest a real success. Bayer also thanks IPA and particularly Fern Finkel for providing the corporate and organizational framework for the award. In times of tighter budgets, this very much encourages Bayer to continue its commitment to sponsor the award. Let me reflect briefly about the rationale for this commitment.