The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada/Association d’Anémie Falciforme du Canada (SCDAC/AAFC) and Pfizer are proud to introduce the first National Research Program for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This competitive research grant program aims to advance clinical research and patient care in SCD.
Through this program, Canadian investigators will conduct clinical and psychosocial research on SCD including outcome evaluation. Grants will be awarded for clinical research, quality improvement, qualitative research, quality of life, and educational initiatives in fields relevant to improving the quality of life of patients with SCD.
Pfizer Canada brings new therapies that significantly improve patients’ lives and this is accomplished through research into innovative medicines. Pfizer Canada works closely with patients, advocacy organizations, research centers, academic institutions, and other experts to share innovative practices from diverse perspectives.
“Evidently, Pfizer Canada is working with patient associations and advocates supporting patients’ needs and we are pleased that Pfizer Canada has struck a research partnership with SCDAC/AAFC as we support persons with SCD in Canada,” says Mrs. Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, President and Executive Director of SCDAC/AAFC.
“While discovering and developing new therapies for Sickle Cell Disease patients is a priority for Pfizer’s Rare Disease Research Unit, it is through programs such as this national research partnership with SCDAC/AAFC that we can enhance our collective knowledge and understanding of the impact of this disease for patients and their families,” says Dr. Mark Lundie, Medical Director Rare Disease for Pfizer Canada.
For the 2018-2019 granting period, specific areas of interest have been identified and investigators are encouraged to submit proposals within these areas. The Research Peer Review Committee (RPRC) of the SCDAC/AAFC will allocate funding to the strongest and most relevant projects including but not limited to the areas of interest listed below.
For 2018-2019 granting periods, Areas of Interest include but not limited to:
- Emergency Room Management of Vascular Occlusive Crisis
- Clinical Management of Vascular Occlusive Crisis
- Treatment Adherence to Prescribed Regimens
- Management of Adolescents and Young Adults with SCD
- Systemic Racism in SCD
For the SCDAC/Pfizer National Research Program for Sickle Cell Disease, individual grants for the 2018-2019 granting period are valued at a maximum of $20,000 per year for up to two years. Two grants of a maximum of $5,000 will also be available to applicants. If a two-year award is provided, the second year of funding is dependent on evidence of progress as described in the required progress report. Grant funding will begin on May 1st, 2018.
Application forms, general criteria and conditions will be released in January 2018 for the 2018-19 granting period and deadline to submit applications will be at 4PM EST on March 15th 2018.
About Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada/Association d’Anémie Falciforme du Canada (SCDAC/AAFC)
Established in 2012, SCDAC/AAFC is committed to increasing awareness about SCD, enhancing methods of identification, diagnosis, and treatment towards improving the quality of life of affected individuals and their families.
The SCDAC/AAFC also encourages the establishment of coordinated clinical services and research initiatives that will support SCD treatments and efforts towards a cure. We believe that attracting clinical and research expertise to undertake and further SCD research in Canadian universities and healthcare settings is essential, and therefore we will support these initiatives.
To learn more about SCDAC/AAFC, you may visit: www.sicklecelldisease.ca; like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SickleCellDiseaseCanada) and follow us on twitter (www.twitter.com/sicklecellca)
About Pfizer Rare Disease
Rare disease includes some of the most serious of all illnesses and impacts millions of patients worldwide, representing an opportunity to apply our knowledge and expertise to help make a significant impact on addressing unmet medical needs. The Pfizer focus on rare disease builds on more than two decades of experience, a dedicated research unit focusing on rare disease, and a global portfolio of multiple medicines within a number of disease areas of focus, including hematology, neuroscience, and inherited metabolic disorders.
Pfizer Rare Disease combines pioneering science and deep understanding of how diseases work with insights from innovative strategic collaborations with academic researchers, patients, and other companies to deliver transformative treatments and solutions. We innovate every day leveraging our global footprint to accelerate the development and delivery of groundbreaking medicines and the hope of cures.
To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca or you can follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/PfizerCA) or Facebook (facebook.com/Pfizer.Canada).
This article was originally published on November 15, 2017 by Pfizer Canada.