Baxter announced renal discoveries grant winners

Baxter has announced the winners of this year’s renal discoveries grants, which are awarded to support innovation, exploration and research projects to boost the expertise surrounding kidney disease and its treatment worldwide.

The company reports that the four research projects will receive $1.5 million (0.72 million pounds) in research funding through its Renal Discoveries Extramural Grant Programme, a scheme entering its 18th year in 2007.

Grants awarded under the initiative also include funding for research fellowship training at the institutions where the research work is being undertaken.

Princess Alexandra Hospital in Australia won the award for the Asia Pacific region, while the Hospital Unversitario La Paz in Spain picked up the European grant. Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez won the Latin America award while the University of Pittsburgh received the fund for the US.

Sarah S Prichard, vice-president of global medical and clinical affairs and research for the renal business at Baxter, said: “The renal scientific community has shown tremendous interest in the renal discoveries programme and the projects funded so far have contributed to innovation in renal research.”

She added that the awards provide a research training ground for those in nephrology who will be the key scientists of the future and require new and predictable sources of funding.

In April 2007, Baxter announced the purchase of Green-e certified renewable energy certificates while reiterating the important role of corporations in the battle against climate change.