PHA, Pfizer, ATS Back New Research

In an effort to discover more about pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA), Pfizer, and the American Thoracic Society have teamed up to offer a two-year $100,000 junior researcher fellowship. The supported research will focus on the pathophysiology of PAH, the elucidation of mechanistic pathways and the identification of novel therapeutic targets or biomarkers in adult or pediatric PAH. These projects will have potential applicability to human pulmonary vascular diseases. The grant money will be applied to salaries and/or supplies. This research fellowship was made possible by funding from the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and Pfizer, Inc.

“Since 2000, PHA research programs have committed over $11,500,000 to pulmonary hypertension research,” says Rino Aldrighetti, CEO and president of the PHA. “Our donors’ funds have been leveraged through partnerships with the NIH, ATS, and the American Heart Association. It’s a great value for everyone, especially the researchers and the patients who benefit from what they do.

“In 2010, when ATS approached PHA about adding Pfizer as a partner, we thought that was a great next step. It allowed Pfizer another opportunity to express their corporate citizenship in the field and PHA another opportunity to leverage funds for PH research, utilizing the solid ATS review process.”

For more information about the ATS Foundation Research Program and other grant opportunities, visit Thoracic.org/research/index.php.

Rino Aldrighetti, left, CEO and president of the PHA, and Thomas D’Eletto, MD, FCCP, senior medical director of pulmonary vascular disease at Pfizer, Inc.