DARMSTADT, Germany,
Oct. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD
Serono, the U.S. biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA,
Darmstadt, Germany, today
announced the recipients of the Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI)
for 2015. The awards were handed over during the official award
ceremony yesterday evening at the 54th European Society for
Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Meeting currently taking place in
Barcelona, Spain.
Seventy applications were received from 21 countries, an
increase of more than fifteen percent compared to the number of
entries last year. The applications were reviewed by an independent
Scientific Steering Committee composed of internationally renowned
endocrinologists and chaired by Professor Christian Strasburger, Head of Clinical
Endocrinology at the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin. Following
a rigorous selection process two awards have been made to
innovative projects which seek to advance understanding in the
field of growth. The winning projects are based in the United Kingdom and the United States, and are as follows:
Professor David Dunger,
MD
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
"Effect of insulin sensitisation on Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I
levels in response to Growth Hormone treatment in children born
small for gestational age."
Edward List, PhD
Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio
University, Athens, OH, USA
"Experimental use of an alternative form of growth hormone."
"We are committed to supporting the advancement of science and
medical research in the field of growth to deliver better outcomes
for those living with growth hormone disorders. Following a
successful debut last year, we are delighted that we had more
entries from more countries for this year's Grant for Growth
Innovation awards," said Professor Steven
Hildemann, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global
Medical Affairs and Global Drug Safety at the biopharmaceutical
business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "Supporting those who are pioneering
new research in growth disorders through the Grant for Growth
Innovation reflects our belief that innovation is the cornerstone
in releasing potential in the treatment of these
diseases."
Notes to editors
Photos of the awards ceremony are available.
About the Grant for Growth Innovation (GGI)
EMD Serono
initiated the GGI program to support the advancement of
understanding of the field of growth. A total grant of up to
€400,000 per year divided between up to three research proposals
will be awarded to one or more selected projects. Each application
was blinded and evaluated by an independent 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 EMD Serono
EMD Serono, the U.S.
biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading U.S. biopharma company
focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, EMD
Serono has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and
devices, and industry-leading patient support and access programs.
EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and
endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies
in neurology, oncology, immunology and immuno-oncology. Today, EMD
Serono has more than 1,100 employees around the country with
commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's
home state of Massachusetts.
For more information, please visit www.emdserono.com.
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Merck KGaA of Darmstadt,
Germany, is a leading company for
innovative and top-quality high-tech products in healthcare, life
science and performance materials. The company has six businesses –
Biopharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, Allergopharma, Biosimilars,
Life Science and Performance Materials – and generated sales of €
11.3 billion in 2014. Around 39,000 employees work in 66 countries
to improve the quality of life for patients, to foster the success
of customers and to help meet global challenges. Merck KGaA,
Darmstadt, Germany, 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% interest, the
founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this
day. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck
name and brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the
United States, where the company operates as EMD Serono, EMD
Millipore and EMD Performance Materials.
Cory Tromblee
Phone: 781.681.2393
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emd-serono-announces-grant-for-growth-innovation-at-espe-in-barcelona-300153793.html
SOURCE EMD Serono