PhRMA Foundation Celebrates 50 Years Launching Scientific Careers

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This month, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Foundation marks its 50^th year creating opportunities for the most promising young researchers in life sciences and, in turn, advancing the development of innovative, life-saving medicines for patients across the globe. Following a record-breaking $3.6 million dollars in grants and fellowships in 2015, the Foundation will award an additional $3.5 million next year to support the education and research of 43 distinguished new scientists.

Since it was established in 1965, the Foundation has awarded $80 million in unrestricted grants and fellowships to more than 2,200 scientists in disciplines that are critical to ongoing medical innovation, including informatics, pharmacology/toxicology, health outcomes, pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacology, translational medicine, comparative effectiveness research, adherence improvement, benefits of Innovation in cancer treatment and adherence intervention evaluation. The funds are used to establish labs, perform complex genetic analyses, conduct experiments and explore novel disease targets, among many other applications.

"Put simply, PhRMA and its member companies are committed to the professional development of young scientists because patients are relying on them to discover the next breakthrough treatments for serious illnesses," said Stephen Ubl, president and chief executive officer, PhRMA. "By fostering the growth of grantees at these formative stages in their careers, we are helping them realize their passions and maximize their contributions to public health."

The Foundation has established itself as a prestigious, nationally-recognized supporter of critical research grants that have jumpstarted the careers of scientists who have become respected figures in academia, at scientific institutions, within government agencies and throughout the biopharmaceutical industry. Alumni include deans of colleges, a Nobel Laureate, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, FDA directors, department chairs and professors at universities and heads of research at major corporations and biopharmaceutical companies.

"The PhRMA Foundation demonstrates the continued commitment of the biopharmaceutical industry to invest in young scientists at critical points in their careers," said Eileen Cannon, president of the PhRMA Foundation. "Our five decades of history supporting the best and brightest with unrestricted funding speaks volumes about the industry's dedication to the next generation of researchers and clinicians. I am proud of our programs and how they continue to foster innovation and make a difference for patients worldwide."

Few other foundations provide the level of unrestricted funding at such early stages in researchers' professions. Past recipients have recognized the critical role of their PhRMA Foundation grants in propelling their careers:

• "This award will be fundamental to my success as a young scientist. It will allow me to independently pursue research projects I am passionate about and recruit talented collaborators to my lab, improve my scientific reputation and increase my probability for future funding to sustain my research program." – Kelly Reveles, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin; 2015 Foundation award recipient
• "The PhRMA Foundation fellowship has played an integral role in my training as an independent research scientist. Through this award I have strengthened important research skills providing the basis for my future career." – Kristen Bircsak, Rutgers University; 2014 Foundation award recipient

In addition to research grants, the Foundation operates a number of initiatives that create and support educational programs through strategic partnerships with industry, academia and government. The current educational initiatives include a rotation program for regulatory science fellows, educational modules for future prescribers to promote safe and effective prescribing practices and conferences on topics such as medication adherence improvement and comparative effectiveness research.

Visit the PhRMA Foundation website to learn more about the important research and education it supports: www.phrmafoundation.org.

About the PhRMA Foundation
The PhRMA Foundation supports young scientists in disciplines important to the pharmaceutical industry by awarding them competitive research fellowships and grants at a critical decision point at the outset of their careers. The aim is to encourage young scientists who will be the leaders of tomorrow to pursue careers in research and education related to drug discovery.

The program helps build a larger pool of highly-trained, top-quality scientists to help meet the growing needs of scientific and academic institutions, government, and the research-intensive pharmaceutical industry. The Foundation's program is of particular benefit to the pharmaceutical industry in serving its purpose of developing new life-saving, cost-effective medicines for patients all around the world.

About The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $600 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, including an estimated $51.2 billion in 2014 alone.

Connect with PhRMA

For information on how innovative medicines save lives, please visit:
www.PhRMA.org 
www.FromHopetoCures.org 
www.Facebook.com/PhRMA 
www.Twitter.com/PhRMA

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SOURCE Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America