Winners of First Shock Society/Novo Nordisk Research Grant for Haemorrhagic Shock and Haemostasis are Announced

FLORIDA, June 6 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Annual Scholarship Opens Door to Ongoing Progress in Shock Research

Yesterday the winners of the inaugural 'Shock Society/Novo Nordisk Research Grant for Haemorrhagic Shock and Haemostasis' were revealed at the 28th Annual Conference on Shock in Marco Island, Florida, USA. European winner Dr Markus Huber-Lang and US winner Dr. Chun-Shiang Chung were awarded EUR100,000 and US$120,000 respectively to transform their innovative research proposals into reality. These substantial grants will support cutting-edge shock research in the future, with yesterday's awards being the first in an annual scholarship.

Supporting progress in shock management

The grants aim to develop new insights into haemorrhagic shock, resuscitation and haemostasis management by giving early career researchers (PhDs, MDs, MD/PhDs or equivalent) the opportunity and resources to develop independent research. Winners can utilise the grants at their home institutions and are invited to participate in a 'visiting scholars' programme at the Novo Nordisk Research Laboratories in North Brunswick, NJ, USA.

"These important grants provide substantial support to doctors early in their careers as they form their own research groups," said Professor Heinz Redl, past president of the European Shock Society and director of the Ludwig Boltzman Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology in Vienna, Austria. "After their many experiences in other labs, these doctors have the open minds, new ideas and energy needed to drive progress. This grant is a fantastic new way to develop innovative shock research."

Fresh approaches rewarded

The two winners were chosen from an international field of applications from across Europe and the US.

- Dr Markus Huber-Lang, surgeon in training from the department of Traumatology, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Ulm in Germany, won the European grant for his proposed research into the connection between haemostasis and the complement system during shock and sepsis.

- Dr. Chun-Shiang Chung, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University, won the US grant for her proposed investigation into the role of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 proteins within immune hyporesponsiveness in shock.

"We were thrilled to see the response to this fellowship award as well as the quality of the applications received," said Professor Alfred Ayala, head of Surgical Research at the department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital & Brown University Medical School, Providence RI, USA, and president of the US Shock Society. "The two winners not only represent the type of young academic investigators whose growth we are hoping to foster, but have planned projects that should stretch our understanding of the pathobiology of haemorrhagic shock."

A continuing investment in improved shock care

Novo Nordisk A/S and the European and US Shock Societies have founded this annual scholarship as a long-term investment towards supporting investigational science and improving standards of care for shock and trauma patients. Submissions were judged by Shock Society members and the grants were funded through an educational grant from Novo Nordisk A/S.

"The US Shock Society, European Shock Society and Novo Nordisk look forward to building upon this exciting scholarship in the future," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, chief science officer, Novo Nordisk A/S. "In a medical area as open and complex as shock management, there is a constant need for original thinking and approaches. These grants enable us to encourage and support the professionals today who will be world-leading experts tomorrow."

Notes to Editors:

1) About Novo Nordisk A/S

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 20,250 full-time employees in 78 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For more information, visit novonordisk.com or novonordisk-us.com

2) About the European and US Shock Societies

The mission of the European and US Shock Societies is to improve the care of victims of trauma, shock, and sepsis, by:

- Promoting relevant research into the basic biology of trauma, shock, and sepsis

- Providing a multidisciplinary forum to integrate and disseminate new knowledge in trauma, shock, and sepsis

- Promoting the education and mentoring of the next generation of investigators in the field of trauma, shock, and sepsis

For more information, visit shocksocieties.org