Genzyme Gaucher Generation Program Awards 2012

Genzyme, a Sanofi company announced the recipients of the 2012 Gaucher Generation Program awards, an annual program in its fifth year that awards scientists and clinicians engaged in innovative Gaucher disease research.

This year’s recipients are:

New Investigator Awards:

• Gustavo Tiscornia, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine and Center for Molecular and Structural Biomedicine at the University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal. Dr. Tiscornia’s project is entitled “Development of an induced pluripotent stem cell model of neuronopathic Gaucher’s Disease for investigating mechanisms of pathogenesis and small molecule testing.” Dr. Tiscornia will focus on the use of stem cells to study Gaucher disease type 2, which involves the nervous system.

• Elena Pavlova, MD, PhD, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. In Dr. Pavlova’s project entitled, “Lymphoma in Gaucher disease – studies of causation and potential cure,” she will focus her efforts to better understand why patients with Gaucher disease have an increased risk of cancer.

Established Investigator Award:

• Pramod K Mistry, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Chief, Pediatric Hepatology, and Director, National Gaucher Disease Treatment Center at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., USA. Dr. Mistry’s project is entitled “Studies to delineate specific phenotypes of Gaucher disease and decipher respective biomarker signatures and genetic underpinnings.” Dr. Mistry will seek to better understand how genes impact clinical and biochemical manifestations in patients with Gaucher disease.

“The Gaucher Generation Program represents Genzyme’s ongoing commitment to enhance care and support of the global Gaucher community, with the ultimate goal of transforming the lives of patients,” said Genzyme’s Senior Vice President and Head of Rare Diseases, Rogerio Vivaldi, MD. “As world-renowned thought leaders, each of these recipients will make a meaningful contribution to further the understanding of Gaucher disease. Genzyme has been committed to serving the Gaucher community for over 20 years, and we are proud to support these award recipients in their important work.”

Genzyme’s Gaucher Generation program provides funding to researchers throughout the world to stimulate and support the advancement of medical knowledge in Gaucher disease. An independent committee of international Gaucher disease experts reviewed the research proposals and selected the most meritorious applications. This year, two “New Investigator Awards” were given, with each recipient receiving $100,000 over two years, as well as one “Established Investigator Award” with an award of $150,000 over two years.

For the 2012 application year, an international committee of Gaucher disease experts scored the research proposals. Submissions were considered on the basis of scientific merit, adequacy of the experimental design, and feasibility of the proposed study. Higher consideration was given to proposals that had the potential for improving patient outcomes. The judges were blinded to the identity of the applicants until final decisions were made. More information on Genzyme’s Gaucher Generation Program, including previous recipients, can be found at: http://www.gauchercare.com/healthcare/generation.aspx.