Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program Recognizes Researchers For Nanomedicines, Gene Therapies And Bioengineering Factor VIII

WHIPPANY, N.J., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to support early-stage research in hemophilia and related bleeding disorders, Bayer HealthCare has awarded Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program (BHAP) grants to clinicians and researchers from six hospitals and research institutions in the United States. BHAP grants will support research into numerous projects, including nanomedicines, new methods to improve inhibitor detection in hemophilia, platelet gene therapy and bioengineering factor VIII replacement therapy.

"This year's BHAP awardees are conducting research at the very frontier of science," said Dario Mirski, M.D., Vice President and Head of U.S. Medical Affairs, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. "We are proud to support research and clinical practice that has the potential to make a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders."

The U.S. BHAP winners, which were announced at the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis in Toronto this week, are:

• Dr. Ben Samelson-Jones, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Dr. Beth Warren, University of Colorado Denver
• Dr. Yizhou Dong, The Ohio State University
• Dr. Ammon Fager, Duke University Medical Center
• Dr. Qizhen Shi, Medical College of Wisconsin
• Dr. Christopher Doering, Emory University

Globally, 17 recipients in nine countries received 2015 grants worth more than $1.2 million. Since its founding in 2002, BHAP has awarded more than 250 grants, totaling more than $30 million, to researchers and caregivers from 32 countries around the world. BHAP support has contributed to more than 450 publications, poster presentations and other scientific communications by awardees.

"I'm honored to be selected as a 2015 BHAP award winner. The support from Bayer will help me continue my research into the role gene therapy might potentially play in helping patients manage their hemophilia," said Dr. Qizhen Shi of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisc.

This year, awards were presented in the following categories: Special Projects which provides support for a wide range of scientific research; Early Career Investigator which provides salary support and research funds for junior faculty members to undertake mentored and/or basic research projects; Fellowship Project which facilitates the development of specific clinical expertise for applicants who have completed medical training; Caregiver which recognizes the essential role of caregivers and allied health professionals; and a new category this year, Outcomes Research which encourages the development of relevant tools of outcome assessment, or their validation and applications in different health care situations.

About the Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program
The Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program (BHAP) supports 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 generation of care and treatment options for people with hemophilia worldwide.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals business of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, and combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Bayer HealthCare provides products for General Medicine, Hematology, Neurology, Oncology and Women's Healthcare. The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

Forward Looking Statement
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SOURCE Bayer Corporation