Bayer Launches the Second Annual Pulmonary Hypertension Accelerated Bayer (PHAB) Awards to Encourage and Recognize Innovation in Pulmonary Research
June 1, 2020Awards program underscores the importance of critical clinical research to deepen understanding of pulmonary disease to help improve patient outcomes
WHIPPANY, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bayer announced today the launch of the second annual Pulmonary Hypertension Accelerated Bayer (PHAB) Awards to support clinical research in pulmonary hypertension (PH), with a focus on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The program, which is one of the largest industry-funded grant programs focused on these conditions, will award up to a total of $1 million in grants. The research project duration can extend over two years. Last year, eight researchers working to advance PH science and care were recognized as grant recipients.
“For the second year in a row, we have the privilege and opportunity to support some of the brightest clinical researchers dedicated to advancing science and innovation in pulmonary hypertension,” said Sameer Bansilal, M.D., M.S., Senior Medical Director, U.S. Medical Affairs at Bayer. “There is still much that can be done to help improve patient care, and we are confident that this program will continue to spark critical, and innovative thinking that we hope will result in tangible results for patients.”
Grant applications will be open to all PH professionals in the United States (U.S.) only. Letters of Intent may now be submitted to the program for the 2020 cycle. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no deadlines have been set currently. A timeline will be formulated once the extent of the outbreak is better understood, as well as its impact on the return to “normalcy.” For more information about the Awards, submission criteria and to submit a proposal, please visit www.phab-awards.com.
“Last year’s first-ever PHAB Awards generated high-quality, exciting proposals that we believe have the potential to have positive and long-lasting impacts for people with PAH and CTEPH,” said Aleksandra Vlajnic, M.D., M.B.A., Senior Vice President & Head Medical Affairs Americas at Bayer. “This year, Bayer is optimistic that the Award submissions will build on the impressive momentum created in 2019 and is excited to see the new ideas and innovation from the next class of PHAB Award winners.”
All research grants are based on the approximate fair market value of the research. If an application requires greater or lesser funding, it may be submitted under the appropriate category commensurate with the approximate fair market value required to complete the research. Bayer is inviting applications for U.S. based clinical research in PAH or CTEPH in the following categories:
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Level 1
- This award may appeal to any HCP including but not limited to allied PH healthcare professionals, including nurses, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, pharmacists and psychologists to support research initiated by them.
- Research project duration: 2 years
- Number of new awards per year: 2
- Award: Up to $50,000 in total
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Level 2
- This award may appeal to any HCP including but not limited to fellows and will support research to be completed within the initial 2 years of their first faculty position.
- Research project duration: 2 years
- Number of new awards per year: 2
- Award: Up to $100,000 in total
-
Level 3
- This award may appeal to any HCP including but not limited to early-mid career (<7 years since terminal training degree) pulmonary hypertension professionals to support research initiated by them.
- Research project duration: 2 years
- Number of new awards per year: 2
- Award: Up to $150,000 in total
-
Level 4
- This award may appeal to any HCP including but not limited to investigators who wish to perform a clinical trial in a single center or restricted multicenter (<5) sites in the U.S.
- Research project duration: 2 years
- Number of new awards per year: 2
- Award: Up to $200,000 in total
The PHAB review criteria will be modeled after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) system; entries will be graded on significance, investigator(s), innovation, approach, and environment.
Grants will be made on the merits of the research and research must be posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. Every effort should be made to publish or present study outcomes. Once a grant is provided, additional funding cannot be received for the same grant. If the research is not conducted the grant must be returned. While the total number of awards will be 8, the number awarded in each category may vary depending on merit of the applications received.
About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH, WHO Group 1) is defined by elevated pressure in the arteries going from the right side of the heart to the lungs. Typical symptoms of PAH include shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue, weakness, chest pain and syncope. PAH is caused by abnormalities in the walls of the pulmonary arteries.1,2
About Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH, WHO Group 4) is a progressive type of pulmonary hypertension, in which it is believed that thromboembolic occlusion (organized blood clots) of pulmonary vessels gradually lead to an increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, resulting in an overload of the right heart.3,4 CTEPH may evolve after prior episodes of acute pulmonary embolism, but the pathogenesis is not yet completely understood. The standard and potentially curative treatment for CTEPH is pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE), a surgical procedure in which the blood vessels of the lungs are cleared of clot and scar material.5,6 However, a considerable number of patients with CTEPH (20%-40%) are not operable and in up to 35 percent of patients, the disease persists or reoccurs after PTE.7,8
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2019, the Group employed around 104,000 people and had sales of 43.5 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.9 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
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This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
References:
1 Galie et al. 2015 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Eur Heart. 2016; 37:67–119.
2 American Lung Association. Pulmonary Hypertension. Accessed February 12, 2020. http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pulmonary-hypertension.
3 Piazza G and Goldhaber SZ. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. N Engl J Med. 2011; 364: 351-360.
4 Simonneau G et al. Updated Clinical Classification of Pulmonary Hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013; 62(25): 34-41.
5 D’Armini M. Diagnostic advances and opportunities in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir Rev. 2015; 24: 253–262.
6 Kim et al. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013; 62: D92-9.
7 Mathai et al. Quality of life in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J. 2016 Aug; 48(2): 526–537.
8 D’Armini M. Diagnostic advances and opportunities in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir Rev. 2015; 24: 253–262.
Contacts
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Bayer, U.S. Corporate Communications
