CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genzyme,
a Sanofi company (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), today announced the
recipients of the 2012 Gaucher Generation Program awards, an annual
program in its fifth year that awards scientists and clinicians engaged
in innovative Gaucher disease research.
“Lymphoma
in Gaucher disease – studies of causation and potential cure”
Genzyme’s Gaucher Generation program provides funding to researchers
throughout the world to stimulate and support the advancement of medical
knowledge in Gaucher disease. An independent committee of international
Gaucher disease experts reviewed the research proposals and selected the
most meritorious applications. This year, two “New Investigator Awards”
were given, with each recipient receiving $100,000 over two years, as
well as one “Established Investigator Award” with an award of $150,000
over two years.
“The Gaucher Generation Program represents Genzyme’s ongoing commitment
to enhance care and support of the global Gaucher community, with the
ultimate goal of transforming the lives of patients,” said Genzyme’s
Senior Vice President and Head of Rare Diseases, Rogerio Vivaldi, MD.
“As world-renowned thought leaders, each of these recipients will make a
meaningful contribution to further the understanding of Gaucher disease.
Genzyme has been committed to serving the Gaucher community for over 20
years, and we are proud to support these award recipients in their
important work.”
This year’s recipients are:
New Investigator Awards:
-
Gustavo Tiscornia, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of
Biomedical Sciences and Medicine and Center for Molecular and
Structural Biomedicine at the University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
Dr. Tiscornia’s project is entitled “Development of an induced
pluripotent stem cell model of neuronopathic Gaucher’s Disease for
investigating mechanisms of pathogenesis and small molecule testing.”
Dr. Tiscornia will focus on the use of stem cells to study Gaucher
disease type 2, which involves the nervous system.
-
Elena Pavlova, MD, PhD, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of
Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. In Dr. Pavlova’s project entitled, “Lymphoma
in Gaucher disease – studies of causation and potential cure,” she
will focus her efforts to better understand why patients with Gaucher
disease have an increased risk of cancer.
Established Investigator Award:
-
Pramod K Mistry, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Internal
Medicine, Chief, Pediatric Hepatology, and Director, National Gaucher
Disease Treatment Center at Yale University School of Medicine, New
Haven, Conn., USA. Dr. Mistry’s project is entitled “Studies to
delineate specific phenotypes of Gaucher disease and decipher
respective biomarker signatures and genetic underpinnings.” Dr.
Mistry will seek to better understand how genes impact clinical and
biochemical manifestations in patients with Gaucher disease.
For the 2012 application year, an international committee of Gaucher
disease experts scored the research proposals. Submissions were
considered on the basis of scientific merit, adequacy of the
experimental design, and feasibility of the proposed study. Higher
consideration was given to proposals that had the potential for
improving patient outcomes. The judges were blinded to the identity of
the applicants until final decisions were made. More information on
Genzyme’s Gaucher Generation Program, including previous recipients, can
be found at: http://www.gauchercare.com/healthcare/generation.aspx.
About Genzyme, a Sanofi Company
Genzyme has pioneered the development and delivery of transformative
therapies for patients affected by rare and debilitating diseases for
over 30 years. We accomplish our goals through world-class research and
with the compassion and commitment of our employees. With a focus on
rare diseases and multiple sclerosis, we are dedicated to making a
positive impact on the lives of the patients and families we serve. That
goal guides and inspires us every day. Genzyme’s portfolio of
transformative therapies, which are marketed in countries around the
world, represents groundbreaking and life-saving advances in medicine.
As a Sanofi company, Genzyme benefits from the reach and resources of
one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, with a shared
commitment to improving the lives of patients. Learn more at www.genzyme.com.
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