CHERTSEY, England, January 25,
2015 /PRNewswire/ --
$150,000 Grant awarded to team from University
Medical Centre Groningen
The Astellas European Foundation has announced the winner of the
2014 Transplantation Grant as Dr Gertrude
Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke from the University Medical Centre
Groningen, The Netherlands. The
winning study titled, 'Volatile Anaesthetic Protection of Renal
Transplants-2' will investigate the role of anaesthetic regimens in
optimising the outcome of kidney transplantation. In late 2014, 98
applications were received for the Grant programme that supports
basic medical and related scientific programmes which contribute to
advancements in transplantation. The winner was announced last
night at the Advancing Transplantation Meeting, that runs until the
26th January at the Karolinska
Institutet, in Stockholm,
Sweden.
Dr Gertrude Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke,
said "VAPOR-2 is an international multi-centre research initiative
to find the optimal anaesthetic regimen for patients receiving a
kidney from a deceased donor. VAPOR-1 has shown beneficial effect
(less rejection) for volatile anaesthetics in living donor kidney
transplantation. We now aim to extend this finding in deceased
donor kidney transplantation. This study will hopefully lead to the
optimal anaesthetic protocol for kidney transplantation resulting
in better graft function. Winning this grant for me is an
opportunity to realise a long-standing goal: improve outcome of
organ transplantation by improved anaesthesiological care."
The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity with
the long-term goal of providing support for programmes and
activities that advance our understanding of medicine and health.
The winner of the Grant is selected by a Judging Faculty that
includes independent European thought leaders.
Dr Ayad Abdulahad, Astellas
European Foundation Trustee and Senior Vice President of Medical
Affairs and Health Economics for Astellas Pharma EMEA commented,
"Congratulations to Dr Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke. With a shortage of
suitable donor kidneys it is important that all donor organs are
treated in an optimal way. This project will research an
opportunity to improve the outcome of organ transplantation
specifically relating to the anaesthetic regimen. We received a
record 98 applications from research institutions and hospitals
across Europe. This demonstrates
the vitality within the transplantation community and the
collective objective to improve the lives of patients. Thank you to
everyone who entered."
The Foundation now offers annual Grants of $150,000 for Uro-Oncology, Functional Urology and
Uro-Gynaecology, and Transplantation. For information regarding the
Grant process please contact the Astellas European Foundation by
email at aef@astellas.com or call +44-203-379-8039.
Notes to Editors
About The Astellas European Foundation
The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity, formed
in 2005, with the long-term goal of providing support for
programmes and activities that contribute to the advancement of an
increasingly healthy society. In line with this aim, the Foundation
has made substantial donations to global charities. The Astellas
European Foundation also supports Astellas employees in their
private fundraising efforts for charitable causes. The Astellas
European Foundation is registered with the Charity Commission for
England and Wales, number 1036344.
The Astellas European Foundation was established by funding from
Astellas Pharma Inc, but operates independently of it.