US$2.75 million awards program supports hemophilia research

Toronto, ON — January 22, 2003 — The early selection process is underway for a new awards program recently announced by Bayer Biological Products. The Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program is a US$2.75 million annual grant initiative to fund hemophilia research and education programs around the world. This initiative is open to the Canadian hemophilia research and education community.

The first award recipients will be announced in late May 2003, and the selection process for next year’s awards will begin in August or September.

The program was created to support 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 steps for the next generation of care and treatment options for people with hemophilia.

“Bayer believes the Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program is an important and reliable source of educational and research funding for health professionals in the global bleeding disorders community and also provides an excellent opportunity for new physicians to enter the field of hemophilia,” says Dr. Gunnar Rieman, President, Bayer Biological Products.

The program focuses on projects involving inherited disorders of bleeding and hemostasis and encompasses four award categories:

1) The Special Project Award supports a variety of research projects in the field of hemophilia including, but not limited to, basic and clinical research and research involving quality of life or psychosocial issues. It is available to clinicians, researchers and allied health professionals working in the bleeding disorders field around the world.

2) The Early Career Investigator Award will fund salary support and research funds for two years for a junior faculty member wishing to undertake a mentored basic and/or clinical research project in the bleeding disorders field.

3) The Clinical Scholarship Award will support a mentored physician in training for two years. Clinical duties will encompass diagnosis, evaluation and the planning of management strategies for patients with bleeding disorders. In addition to the clinical experience, the applicant may pursue a research project in the field of hemostasis.

4) Hemophilia Caregivers Education Award recognizes the essential role of caregivers and allied health professionals in the care of patients with hemophilia. It is designed to support their role by promoting continuing education. Awards will be provided for educational activities in the field of hemophilia.

More information on the program is available at www.bayer-haemophilia-awards.com.