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Talecris Biotherapeutics awards Winners of the 4th European ALTA Fellowship Program
European Alpha1-Antitrypsin Laurell’s Training Award (eALTA) Funds Early Career Investigators’ Research to Advance Understanding of Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD)
STOCKHOLM, Sweden and FRANKFURT, Germany (September 16, 2007) – Talecris Biotherapeutics today announced the recipients of the 2007 European Alpha1-Antitrypsin Laurell’s Training Awards (eALTA). The two recipients, from Njimwegen, Netherlands and Dublin, Ireland were honored during the 2007 European Respiratory Society’s (ERS) annual Congress in Stockholm, at a special symposium entitled “Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency – Inflammation, Exacerbation, and Innovation.”
The 2007 eALTA award winners are Karin Francisca Kok, M.D., from the University Medical Center Nijmwegen, Netherlands and Tomás Patrick Carroll, Ph.D., from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Kok’s research project is entitled “Heterozygosity for Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency: underestimated in chronic liver disease?” and will focus on improving the understanding of the relationship between alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) genotype PiMZ and chronic liver disease. This project is of particular importance since about 1 in 20 individuals are heterozygous for PiMZ and might be adversely affected if also presenting with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis C and hemochromatosis. Dr. Carroll’s project, “Immune Cell Function in Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency,” investigates relationship between mutated protein PiZ that accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum and the function of immune cells such as monocytes and neutrophils. If the immune cells are less active, this mechanism might contribute to the overall inflammatory disease process. Annual funding for the eALTA research projects of $65,000 each, is provided by Talecris Biotherapeutics.
Professor Claus Vogelmeier, Division of Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps University Marburg, and chair of the eALTA scientific review board, commented on the value of the eALTA program. “This important program provides opportunities for qualified early career researchers to contribute to our understanding of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. We are very pleased with the quality of the research produced by eALTA recipients, and ` we appreciate the ongoing commitment by Talecris Biotherapeutics to support this important program in Europe. I look forward to hearing from our 2007 awardees at next year’s symposium.”
The eALTA fellowship awards support basic and clinical research for early career investigators looking into the pathophysiology, clinical course, or treatment of AATD, a serious hereditary disorder that can result in life-threatening liver disease in children and adults, or lung disease in adults. The eALTA fellowships support investigations for one year that will provide additional insights into improving the diagnosis, care, and treatment of AATD.
“The European ALTA program is an important way in which we support ongoing global research into alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency,” said Marion Wencker, Head of Medical and Clinical Affairs Europe, Talecris Europe, headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. “Research initiatives such as eALTA not only increase our understanding of the disease and its treatment, but also help stimulate the interest and commitment of early career scientists and clinicians who represent the future of providing care for the alpha-1 community.” To date, more than $500,000 has been provided by Talecris Biotherapeutics for the purposes of setting up and supporting innovative scientific projects for emerging researchers and medical students.
Applications are assessed according to four criteria: scientific merit, innovation, impact of the project, and quality of research environment. The scientific review board for grant applications consists of five European experts in the field of AATD and Marion Wencker. The new program cycle for the 2008 awards has begun, and submissions of letters of intent will be accepted through March 1, 2008. Details of the application process and deadlines can be found on www.alta-award.com.
In addition to research initiatives such as eALTA, Talecris Biotherapeutics sponsors numerous patient and professional programs and services to increase disease awareness, and support product access and adequate reimbursement for the alpha-1 community.
Contact:
Dr. med. Marion Wencker, Talecris Biotherapeutics GmbH
Tel. +49 (0) 69 - 660 593 540
E-mail: info@alta-award.com
www.alta-award.com / www.talecris.eu
To download this text, please visit www.alta-award.com/news.
About Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha1-antitrypsin Deficiency, also known as AAT Deficiency or alpha-1, is an inherited disorder that causes significant reduction in the naturally occurring protein AAT. It is most common in the Caucasian population of northern Europe and North America. AAT Deficiency is also the most common cause of genetic liver disease in children, and genetic emphysema (shortness of breath) in adults. Individuals suffering from AAT Deficiency often develop severe obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) causing disability and premature death. AAT Deficiency affects some 150,000 people in North America and Europe.
For more information about AATD, diagnosis, therapy and other services for patients and physicians, visit www.alpha-1-info.com.
About eALTA
The European Alpha1-Antitrypsin Laurell's Training Award supports basic and clinical research through grants provided to early career investigators. Through this program, named in honor of Dr. Carl-Bertil Laurell, who first described alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in 1963, Talecris Biotherapeutics provides new insights into AATD and help shape the future of the alpha-1 community worldwide. A primary goal of eALTA is to promote entry of new clinicians and scientists in the field of alpha1-antitrypsin disorders, focusing on projects that will provide additional insights into the pathophysiology, clinical course, or treatment of AATD.
For further information, please visit www.alta-award.com.
About Talecris Biotherapeutics: Inspiration. Dedication. Innovation.
Talecris Biotherapeutics is a global biotherapeutic and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas including immunology, pulmonology, and hemostasis. Talecris is proudly building upon a 60-year legacy of innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of people who rely on its therapeutic products. With an emphasis on scientific inquiry and technological excellence, Talecris is expanding its current portfolio of products, programs, and services through its own world-class product development organization as well as through strategic initiatives that leverage its strengths with those of its partners.
Talecris, with revenues of approximately $1.2 billion in 2007, is headquartered in biotech hub Research Triangle Park, N.C., and employs more than 4,000 talented people worldwide.
To learn more about Talecris and how our employees are making a difference in the lives of patients and the healthcare community, visit www.talecris.com.
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