Download Bristol-Myers Squibb-Sponsored Partnering for Cure

 Bristol-Myers Squibb-Sponsored Partnering for CureTM Program Names
Three European Award Winners for Research Projects Focused on Cure in Viral Diseases
First-ever, Europe-wide scientific initiative designed to
accelerate virology clinical research & transform clinical outcomes for patients
(PARIS, France, 31 January, 2014) – Three European virology researchers were awarded
research grants this week based on their proposed research projects to investigate novel ways to
cure viral diseases. The award-winners were chosen by an independent, expert faculty as part of
the Partnering for CureTM Program, a first-of-its kind, Europe-wide initiative. The program,
sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is designed to accelerate innovative scientific research that
could lead to cure in viral diseases, namely HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV).
Partnering for CureTM was launched by a faculty of independent virology experts with the shared
goals of supporting breakthrough research and facilitating greater collaboration and knowledgesharing with the virology clinical community.
“While significant advances have been made in virology over recent years, there is more work to
be done to be able one day to cure chronic infectious diseases such as HIV, HBV and HCV,”
commented Christine Katlama, Partnering for Cure Faculty Chair, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière,
Paris. “The Partnering for Cure initiative is tackling this head-on – joining with the clinical
community to support research that will bring us even closer to our ultimate hope of a potential
‘cure’.”
“We are proud to announce the selected investigators of the first Partnering for Cure research
initiative,” said George Hanna, MD, vice president, HIV Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
“Bristol-Myers Squibb has been a leader in virology for many years and we remain committed to
supporting breakthrough research and education in virology with the goal of providing a forum
for discussion of emerging science on the nature of chronic viral infections.”
The winners of the research grants chosen in a blind evaluation by the Partnering for Cure
Faculty are:

Matthieu Perreau, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) Service Immunologie et
Allergie, Switzerland
Identification of the memory CD4 T-cell population(s) harbouring replication competent
HIV-1 within lymphoid tissues

Ruxandra Calin, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière,
France
Comprehensive analysis of HIV reservoirs in chronically infected HIV-1 treated patients with
a low total cell-associated blood HIV-DNA

Valentina Svicher, AVIRALIA Foundation, Italy
Identification and functional characterisation of genetic elements in HBV genome correlated
with HBV reactivation driven by immunosuppression
Partnering for Cure has been developed and led by a European faculty of independent virology
experts from across Europe, including Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Spain
and the UK with the support of Bristol-Myers Squibb research and development staff.
The objectives of Partnering for Cure are to:

Provide medical education to physicians interested in virology

Provide support to researchers active in virology

Provide a forum for physicians and researchers to discuss advances in virology
towards cure
The Partnering for Cure initiative reinforces Bristol-Myers Squibb’s commitment in virology, which
is rooted in the company’s legacy in virology and ongoing research in HIV and viral hepatitis.
Chronic viral infections make a substantial contribution to the burden of chronic diseases and
premature mortality worldwide. In December 2012, the Global Burden of Disease Study reported
1,465,000 deaths caused by HIV/AIDS and 1,445,000 deaths caused by viral hepatitis in 2010. i
Infections with hepatitis B and C viruses also cause an estimated 57 percent of cases of liver
cirrhosis and 78 percent of cases of primary liver cancer annually.ii Whilst important advances have
been made over the last decade significant unmet needs and the opportunity for cure remains,
particularly in HIV. Bristol-Myers Squibb Commitment to Virology
For over 20 years, Bristol-Myers Squibb has worked collaboratively with the virology community to
help meet the needs of patients living with this disease - from developing medicines, supporting
disease education efforts and clinical research, and improving access to medicines in the developing
world.
Like Partnering for CureTM, Bristol-Myers Squibb supports a number of scientific and educational
programs within the virology community around the world that encompass disease education,
disease awareness and sharing of best practices. These include SHE (Strong, HIV positive,
Empowered Women/Strong, HIV positive Women Educational Programme), a comprehensive and
innovative programme for women living with HIV and their healthcare providers, PATH B®
(Patients and professionals acting together for hepatitis B), a joint initiative between hepatitis patient
groups and hepatologists to provide comprehensive information and support for patients with chronic
hepatitis B.
Additionally, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation’s philanthropic and educational programs, such as
Secure the Future® and Delivering Hope® aim to support people living with HIV in Africa and with
viral hepatitis in Asia, through numerous private-public partnerships and community based projects.
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Media: Jeff Smith +33(0) 6 03 99 40 18 [email protected]
References
i
Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, The Lancet, Volume 380, No9859, Dec 15, 2012, p20532260
ii
WHO and WHA, Global Policy Report on the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis, 2013,
http://global-report.worldhepatitisalliance.org/en/home.html