Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Applauds HHS, NIH on Important Stem Cell Research Grants

4/26/2002

From: Julie Kimbrough of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), 646-734-6091

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) today applauded the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announcement that they will provide grants for four resource infrastructure enhancement awards for human embryonic stem cell research. According to the NIH, these awards, totaling $3.5 million over two years will be provided to Cellsaurus, ES Cell International, University of California, and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

"We are very pleased to hear about the infrastructure awards as they will play a significant role in putting these vital tools into the hands of researchers. This can only help speed research progress and further advance the development of therapies and cures for the benefit of patients," said Michael Manganiello, president of CAMR, the group which led the advocacy efforts to allow federal funding of embryonic stem cell research to move forward.

"The infrastructure awards are one very important step of many needed to fully implement the President's policy and we look forward to working with the Administration on strategies to help researchers have access to stem cell lines and receive more federal grants. And we thank Secretary Tommy Thompson for his leadership in overseeing this important process," added Manganiello.

The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), is comprised of nationally-recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders, advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine -- including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer -- in order to cure disease and alleviate suffering. For more information, visit www.camradvocacy.org.