Octapharma Accepting Applications for Research Grants Focused on Human Protein Therapies

HOBOKEN, N.J., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Octapharma USA is accepting applications for the Octapharma 25th Anniversary Grants Program, which supports clinical or pre-clinical research focused on human protein therapies in coagulation disorders, immune therapy, intensive care and emergency medicine. The application deadline is April 1, 2011.

Octapharma AG, one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world, launched the Octapharma Grants program last year in celebration of the biopharmaceutical company's 25th anniversary. The company's first ever grants program is only available to researchers based in the United States and is administered by Octapharma USA.

Earlier this year, the Rush Hemophilia & Thrombophilia Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago was awarded the first grant in the Octapharma program to support research into blood induced joint damage in hemophilia.

Grant applications are accepted online only at www.octapharmagrants.com.  All grant requests will be evaluated by the Octapharma Grants Committee and grant recipients will be announced shortly afterward. Please visit www.octapharmagrants.com for a complete description of the grants program, including the application and review process.

About the Octapharma Group

Headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma AG is one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world and has been committed to patient care and medical innovation for over 27 years. Octapharma's core business is the development, production and sale of high quality human protein therapies from both human plasma and human cell-lines, including immune globulin intravenous (IGIV). In the U.S., Octapharma's IGIV product, octagam® (immune globulin intravenous [human] 5%), is used to treat disorders of the immune system, and Octapharma's Albumin (Human)® is indicated for the restoration and maintenance of circulating blood volume. Octapharma's wilate® received orphan drug exclusivity from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Octapharma employs over 4,000 people and has biopharmaceutical experience in 80 countries worldwide, including the United States, where Octapharma USA is located in Hoboken, N.J.  Octapharma operates two state-of-the-art production sites licensed by the FDA, providing a high level of production flexibility. For more information, please visit www.octapharma.com.

SOURCE Octapharma USA