DARMSTADT, Germany,
September 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/
--
- The first grants awarded to coincide with the 53rd European
Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Meeting
- Investment supports innovative projects for the advancement
of science and medical research in the field of
growth
Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, today
announced the first recipients of the Grant for Growth Innovation
(GGI) for 2014. The awards were announced during a Satellite
Symposium organized by Merck Serono at the 53rd European Society
for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Meeting currently taking place
in Dublin, Ireland.
Sixty applications were received from 19 countries and reviewed
by an independent Scientific Steering Committee composed of
internationally renowned endocrinologists and chaired by Professor
Christian Strasburger, Head of
Clinical Endocrinology at the Charité Universitätsmedizin
Berlin. Following a rigorous
selection process three awards have been granted to support
innovative projects in Sweden, the
United Kingdom and the United States.
Leo Dunkel, MD,
PhD
Queen Mary University of London, London,
UK
Title: Defining the role of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21)
in the pathogenesis of growth hormone resistance and subsequent
growth failure in chronic childhood conditions.
Julian Lui Ph.D.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda,
MD, USA
Title: Cartilage-Targeted Therapeutics for Growth Disorders
Lars Sävendahl, MD, PhD
Karolinska Institute and University
Hospital, Solna, Sweden
Title: Early prediction of long-term growth response to GH
treatment; Evaluation of a newly developed technique based on
magnetic resonance imaging of the tibia growth plate
"The Grant for Growth Innovation reflects Merck Serono's
commitment to innovation which we believe is the foundation of our
efforts to advance new possibilities in the treatment of disorders
of human growth," said Steven
Hildemann, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global
Medical Affairs and Global Drug Safety at Merck Serono. He added:
"Identifying and supporting forward thinking researchers in the
field of growth, helps us achieve our collective goal to advance
our understanding of this therapeutic area and deliver better
outcomes for patients living with growth disorders."
Notes to editors
Photos of the awards ceremony will soon be available under
http://www.grantforgrowthinnovation.org
About the Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI)
Merck Serono announced the initiation of the GGI program in 2013
to support the advancement of understanding of the field of growth.
A total grant of up to €400,000 will be awarded to one or more
selected projects. Each application was blinded and evaluated by a
Scientific Steering Committee composed of internationally renowned
endocrinologists, according to five criteria: innovation;
scientific rationale; clarity; feasibility; and impact of
research.
For further information about the GGI and how to apply for next
year's grants, please visit
http://www.grantforgrowthinnovation.org
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With
headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in
150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis,
infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as
cardiovascular diseases. In the United
States and Canada, EMD
Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck
Serono.
Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets
prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in
specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver
novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology,
immuno-oncology and immunology.
For more information, please visit
http://www.merckserono.com.
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Merck is a leading company for innovative and top-quality
high-tech products in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. With
its four divisions Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Performance
Materials and Merck Millipore, Merck generated total revenues of
€11.1 billion in 2013. Around 39,000 Merck employees work in 66
countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to further
the success of customers and to help meet global challenges. Merck
is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company - since
1668, the company has stood for innovation, business success and
responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70 percent
interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the
company to this day. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany is holding the global rights to the
Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the
United States, where the company is known as EMD.