Researchers and Patient Advocates Honored with PhRMA Award

Recipients recognized for outstanding contributions to the fight against Alzheimer's disease

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced today the recipients of the first annual Research and Hope Awards. This year's award honors outstanding achievements in academia, the biopharmaceutical research sector, as well as the patient and caregiving communities to help advance medical progress and patient care for Alzheimer's disease.

"Too often, the hard work and unwavering commitment by individuals who dedicate their lives to improving patient care go unrecognized. The Research and Hope Award honors those who rightly deserve credit for all of the sacrifices they have made to advance research and patient care in the fight against Alzheimer's disease," said PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani. "Despite the tremendous hurdles, the recipients of the Award have shown us that progress is not only possible, it is happening every day. Their achievements give hope to all of us, especially to patients and their families."

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, affecting one in eight older Americans. Current projections show that by 2050, one American will develop the disease every 33 seconds, costing the U.S. health care system $1.1 trillion annually. During that time, Alzheimer's related Medicare spending alone will increase nearly 600 percent. These projections could change dramatically if a treatment were discovered to help delay the onset of Alzheimer's by five years. Such a treatment could help save Medicare and Medicaid $140 billion annually in 2030, and could save the U.S. health care system $447 billion annually by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

"On behalf of PhRMA and our member companies, we salute these award recipients for their heroic work to advance medical research and improve patient care," said John C. Lechleiter, PhD, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company and chairman of PhRMA.   "The individuals whom we honor with the Research and Hope Awards, through their achievements, highlight the importance of our collaborative efforts to bring forth new medicines that alleviate suffering, improve lives, and bring hope for people around the world."

The researcher awardees were chosen by a special committee of the PhRMA Foundation Board of Directors following a nominations process. The patient advocate recipients were selected by a committee consisting of representatives from PhRMA and the cohost organizations.

The nominations were reviewed and discussed at length and chosen by a group of individuals with extensive knowledge and experience in the science and patient advocacy fields. 

The full list of awardees is below:

The Research and Hope Award for Academic Research in Alzheimer's:

Bradley T. Hyman, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurology
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School

David Holtzman, MD
Andrew B. and Gretchen P. Jones Professor and Chairman
Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine

The Research and Hope Award for Biopharmaceutical Industry Research in Alzheimer's: Merck BACE Team

Eric M. Parker, PhD
Senior Director and Neuroscience Site Lead, Merck

Andrew W. Stamford, PhD
Director, Discovery Chemistry, Merck

Matthew E. Kennedy, PhD
Associate Director, Neuroscience, Merck

Mark S. Forman, MD, PhD
Director, Clinical Research, Merck

Julie A. Stone, PhD
Senior Scientific Director, Merck

The Research and Hope Award for Patient Engagement:

Kate Maslow
Institute of Medicine
Keck Center

The Research & Hope Award for Volunteer Champion: 

Neha Chauhan 
AFA Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $49.5 billion in 2011 in discovering and developing new medicines.

Find PhRMA Online:

• Website – http://www.phrma.org
• Facebook – www.facebook.com/PhRMA
• Blog – www.phrma.org/catalyst
• Twitter – www.Twitter.com/PhRMA and www.Twitter.com/PhRMApress
• YouTube – www.youtube.com/PhRMApress

For information on how innovative medicines save lives, visit: http://www.innovation.org 
For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit: http://www.pparx.org 
For information on ensuring the flow of medicines during public health emergencies, visit http://www.rxresponse.org

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America