ACR/REF, Announce $3 Million Grant from Centocor to Bolster the Future of Rheumatology
28 October 2003 - 4:37AM
PR Newswire (US)
ACR/REF, Announce $3 Million Grant from Centocor to Bolster the
Future of Rheumatology - Program Designed to Encourage Research and
Specialization in Rheumatology - ATLANTA and MALVERN, Pa., Oct. 27
/PRNewswire/ -- The American College of Rheumatology Research and
Education Foundation (REF) today announced a program designed to
encourage research careers in rheumatic medicine. This new program
-- made possible by a $3 million grant from Centocor -- supports a
fellowship program for young physicians. Through their multi-year
grant, Centocor will support the REF's Physician Scientist
Development Award program. This award supports the independent, but
mentored, research of physicians within a clinical or research
setting. "By supporting the careers of promising, young researchers
and their cutting-edge initiatives, the partnership between the REF
and Centocor will ultimately provide superior care for the millions
of people suffering from rheumatic diseases." said REF President
Joseph Golbus, MD. As Americans are living longer and growing older
in record numbers, the need for rheumatic care is greater than
ever. This comes at a time when a significant number of
rheumatology professionals are planning their own retirement. It is
estimated that 20% of rheumatologists are expected to retire in the
next three to five years, creating a shortage of specialists to
care for patients with rheumatic diseases. The REF and Centocor,
Inc. are committed to working together to ensure that patients will
continue to receive the specialized care they need, and that vital
research designed to investigate the causes, improve treatment, and
work toward the prevention and cure of rheumatic diseases will
continue. "We are proud to support the REF on this important
initiative to expand the field of rheumatology," said Tony Vernon,
president of Centocor. "Centocor's support of the REF underscores
our mutual commitment to improving the lives of patients battling
rheumatic diseases. Together, we're dedicated to leading the future
of rheumatology through innovative research and fellowship
programs." About Centocor Centocor is a leading biopharmaceutical
company that creates, acquires and markets cost-effective therapies
that yield long-term benefits for patients and the healthcare
community. The company is dedicated to the research and development
of treatments for a wide range of Immune-Mediated Inflammatory
Disorders such as arthritis, inflammatory skin diseases and cancer.
Centocor's products, developed primarily through monoclonal
antibody technology, help physicians deliver innovative treatments
to improve human health and restore patients' quality of life.
Centocor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the
worldwide manufacturer of healthcare products. About the ACR
Research and Education Foundation The mission of the American
College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation, a
501(c)(3) organization, is to attract and support the training and
development of qualified physicians and other health care
professionals, and to support research designed to investigate the
causes, improve treatment, and work toward the prevention and cure
of rheumatic diseases. For more information on the REF, visit
http://www.rheumatology.org/ref. For more information, contact: ACR
Research and Education Foundation Centocor, Inc. Sara Loveless
Michael Parks (404) 633-3777 (610) 240-4010 (610) 597-4940 Centocor
DATASOURCE: American College of Rheumatology Research and Education
Foundation; CONTACT: Sara Loveless of ACR Research and Education
Foundation, +1-404-633-3777, ; Michael Parks of Centocor, Inc.,
+1-610-240-4010, cell - +1-610-597-4940 Web site:
http://www.rheumatology.org/ref
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