Bayer Announces 2013 Recipients of Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program

WAYNE, N.J., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare has announced the 2013 recipients of the Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program (BHAP). This year, the company awarded more than $2 million in funding to 16 recipients in nine countries, including six in the U.S. BHAP is the largest program of its kind in hemophilia, funding innovative research and educational initiatives around the world.

Since its founding in 2002, BHAP has awarded more than 220 grants, totaling more than $26 million, to researchers and caregivers from 30 countries around the world. BHAP support has contributed to more than 400 publications, poster presentations and other scientific communications by awardees.

"We're thrilled to honor this year's award recipients, whose research will help provide greater understanding of many aspects of hemophilia in the future," said Prasad Mathew, Vice President, Global Medical Affairs Hematology, Bayer HealthCare. "BHAP is a reflection of Bayer's ongoing commitment to research that advances scientific understanding of hemophilia, and helps improve patient care." 

Research funding will cover many different aspects of hemophilia such as overcoming immunological barriers to AAV gene therapy, and stem cell transplantation therapy for hemophilia, among others. This year's U.S. winners include:

• Carl Blobel, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Cathy Buranahirun, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
• Paris Margaritis, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• David Markusic, the University of Florida
• Quang Duc Tran, Emory University
• Grace Monis, University of Washington Medical Center

"I'm honored to be named a 2013 BHAP award recipient, and I'm excited to continue my research on how Latino adolescents with hemophilia learn and use medical information," said Dr. Cathy Buranahirun of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. "Thanks to Bayer's generous support, I'm hopeful that this research will provide the medical community with a better understanding of how to approach and work with Spanish-speaking patients and families to improve their overall care as they transition to the adult care setting."

Dr. Paris Margaritis was awarded an Early Career Investigator Award in 2011 to study the role of the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) in the mechanism of action of FVIIa in hemophilia treatment. Through his research, Dr. Margaritis found that this receptor can enhance the function of FVIIa following its administration in response to injury in vivo in mice. The findings have been presented at several international symposia, including ISTH 2013, and formed the basis for the Bayer Special Project grant that he was awarded this year. In that study, Dr. Margaritis aims to shed more light on how EPCR effects such enhancement on the hemostatic function of FVIIa administration.

The 2013 BHAP award recipients were announced at the XXIV Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). BHAP awardees are selected by a global panel of distinguished hemophilia clinicians, researchers and caregivers.

This year, awards were presented in the following categories: Special Projects – which provides support for a wide range of scientific research; Early Career Investigator – which provides salary support and research funds for junior faculty members to undertake mentored and/or basic research projects; Fellowship Project – which facilitates the development of specific clinical expertise for applicants who have completed medical training; and Caregiver – which recognizes the essential role of caregivers and allied health professionals.

To learn more about BHAP and other 2013 award winners, please visit http://www.bayer-hemophilia-awards.com/about_the_program/?view=past_awards. 

About the Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program
The Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program (BHAP) supports basic and clinical research and education in hemophilia. Through grants provided to early career investigators, fellows in training and other hemophilia care professionals, the program seeks to support the next generation of care and treatment options for people with hemophilia worldwide. For more information about BHAP, please visit www.bayer-hemophilia-awards.com.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals business of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, and combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Bayer HealthCare provides products for Neurology, Oncology, Cardiopulmonary and Women's Healthcare. The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

BAYER and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer.

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SOURCE Bayer HealthCare