2010 PFIZER CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH AWARDS RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Since 2005, Pfizer has awarded more than $8 million to 53 researchers across Canada

KIRKLAND, QC, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the Pfizer Cardiovascular Research Awards Program. The program, launched in October 2005, was developed to support independent cardiovascular research in Canada.

Since its inception, The Pfizer Cardiovascular Research Awards Program has supported independent cardiovascular research in the areas of basic, biomedical and clinical sciences, patient care enhancement, epidemiology and outcomes research.  2010 marks the seventh round of Awards recipients.  Over the years, the program has developed partnership awards with leading national health charities: The Canadian Hypertension Society, The Kidney Foundation of Canada and The Ontario Lung Association, in order to increase research funding in their specific areas of interest. A young Quebec investigator award was also created with the CardioVascular Health Network of the Fond de la Recherche en Santé Québec (FRSQ). In all, Pfizer has provided $8,100,000 to 53 researchers over the course of the program.

"On behalf of Pfizer Canada, I extend my congratulations to all the recipients of the Pfizer Cardiovascular Research Awards," says Dr. Bernard Prigent, Vice President and Medical Director, Pfizer Canada. "At Pfizer Canada, we are proud of the impact that the Pfizer Cardiovascular Research Awards have had on advancing research and development in this country."

Award recipients were announced recently at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Montreal, Quebec. The recipients are:

• Dr. Gavin Oudit, University of Alberta;
• Dr. Nicolas Noiseux, Université de Montréal;
• Dr. Christopher Ahern, University of British Columbia;
• Dr. Michael Tymianski, Toronto Western Hospital, The Jean Davignon Distinguished Cardiovascular Metabolic Award;
• Dr. Jason Dyck, University of Alberta, The Canadian Hypertension Society/Pfizer Award;
• Dr. Julie Lavoie, Université de Montréal, The Cardiovascular Health Network/Pfizer Grant for the Future young investigator Award;
• Dr. Adeera Levin, University of British Columbia, The Kidney Foundation of Canada/Pfizer Canada - Cardio-Renal Research Award;
• Dr. Bernard LeFoll, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, The Ontario Lung association/Pfizer Canada - Cardio-Pulmonary  Research Award In Smoking Cessation;
• Dr. Lianne Singer, University Health Network, Toronto, The Ontario Lung association/Pfizer Canada - Cardio-Pulmonary  Research Award In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

All proposals for the Awards program are reviewed and selected by an independent committee of 22 Canadian cardiovascular experts, chaired by Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of Research, Montreal Heart Institute and Professor of Medicine at the Université de Montréal.

About Cardiovascular Disease in Canada¹

Cardiovascular diseases are defined as diseases and injuries of the cardiovascular system: the heart, the blood vessels of the heart and the system of blood vessels (veins and arteries) throughout the body and within the brain. Stroke is the result of a blood flow problem in the brain. It is considered a form of cardiovascular disease.

According to data from the latest year available from Statistics Canada, cardiovascular disease accounted for 30 per cent of all deaths in Canada.  Heart disease and stroke are two of the three leading causes of death in Canada. There are an estimated 70,000 heart attacks each year in Canada and over 50,000 strokes.  Nine in 10 Canadians (90 per cent) have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes).

About Pfizer Canada

Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc, the world's leading biopharmaceutical company. The company is one of the largest contributors to health research in Canada. Our diversified health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products.

Every day, Pfizer Canada employees work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. We apply science and our global resources to improve the health and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life.

Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from our disease awareness initiatives to our community partnerships, to our belief that it takes more than medication to be truly healthy. To learn more about Pfizer's More Than Medication philosophy and programs, visit morethanmedication.ca. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca.

More Than Medication™ is a registered trademark of Pfizer Canada Inc.

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¹ http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483991/k.34A8/Statistics.htm

For further information:

Heather Bisset
Pfizer Canada
1-866- 9PFIZER (973-4937)
[email protected]