A scientist awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for his discoveries about the immune system died on September 30, it emerged on Monday.
Rockefeller University, where Canadian-born Ralph Steinman worked, said the scientist died of pancreatic cancer.
Steinman shared the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine Monday with two other scientists - Frenchman Jules Hoffmann and American Bruce Beutler for their discoveries that could contribute to the treatment and prevention of viral diseases and cancer.
The Nobel committee was unaware of Steinman's death. Nobel statutes do not allow posthumous awards unless a laureate dies after the announcement.
In 1996 economics winner William Vickrey died a few days after winning.
The prize, established by Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel in his will in 1895, also covers chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economics.
