Grifols Awards Winners of the 9th Annual eALTA Research Fellowship at 2012 ERS Meeting

- Awards fund early-career investigators' research to advance understanding and treatment of alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency

VIENNA, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grifols, a global healthcare company that specializes in the production of biological medicines derived from human plasma, announced today the recipients of the 2012 European Alpha(1)-Antitrypsin Laurell's Training Awards (eALTA). The annual awards, sponsored by Grifols, provide two fellowships of €50,000 to young investigators whose research contributes to the understanding and treatment of alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency). AAT deficiency is a rare, genetic condition in which low levels of the alpha(1) protein can result in severe lung and liver disease.

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The 2012 recipients of eALTA are Emily Fiona Arielle van 't Wout of Leiden University Medical Centre in The Netherlands and Riccardo Ronzoni of the University of Brescia in Italy. Van 't Wout and Ronzoni were presented with the awards September 2 at the 2012 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress in Vienna during the Grifols-sponsored symposium.

Van 't Wout's research project will explore the production and accumulation in lung cells of the Z-AAT protein – a mutated form of the AAT protein which gives rise to lung and liver damage. Van 't Wout will also study whether cigarette smoke can promote the accumulation of Z-AAT polymers in lung cells, thereby contributing to lung cell damage. 

Ronzoni's research project will investigate rare AAT mutations in hepatocytes, or liver cells, that cause lung damage through mechanisms that are different from those of the more common Z-ATT mutation. His project will also explore strategies that may interfere with these mechanisms.

"Research initiatives such as eALTA not only increase our understanding of the disease and its treatments, but they also help stimulate the interest and commitment of early- career scientists and clinicians who represent the future of research and new treatments for the alpha(1) community," said Claus Vogelmeier, Professor of Internal and Respiratory Medicine at the Hospital of the Universities of Giessen and Marburg, Germany, and chair of the independent eALTA Review Team.

Grifols has sponsored the eALTA awards since 2004 to gain new insights into the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical treatment of AAT deficiency and associated disorders. As the manufacturer of PROLASTIN (Alpha(1)-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human]) and Trypsone, treatments for AAT deficiency, Grifols demonstrates its ongoing commitment to the alpha(1) community through eALTA and other research programs. To date, Grifols has provided more than €850,000 through the eALTA program.

About eALTA

The European Alpha(1) Antitrypsin Laurell's Training Award supports basic and clinical research through two annual grants provided to early career investigators. The program is named in honor of Dr. Carl-Bertil Laurell, who first described alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency) in 1963. The primary goal of the eALTA program is to identify and support research projects that enhance the understanding of disease mechanisms of AAT deficiency, improve existing therapies, and identify potential new therapies.  The eALTA program also promotes the entry of new clinicians and scientists into the field of AAT disorders and encourages collaborations among scientists in the field.  For more information, go to http://www.eALTA.eu/.

About Grifols

Grifols is a global healthcare company that produces plasma-derived therapies and manufactures hospital pharmacy products, intravenous solutions, diagnostic tools and medical devices. As the third largest global producer of plasma therapies, Grifols has a presence in more than 90 countries and is the world leader in plasma collection, with 147 plasma donation centers across the U.S. The centers collect protein-rich plasma, which is then tested and manufactured into life-saving medicines for patients with rare conditions such as bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies and genetic emphysema. The company's class A shares have been listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (MCE:GRF) since 2006 and have been part of the Ibex-35 since 2008. In 2011, the company listed non-voting class B shares on the Mercado Continuo (MCE:GRF.P) and on the U.S. NASDAQ via ADRs (NASDAQ: GRFS). 

About Prolastin® Prolastina® Pulmolast®

Active ingredient: Human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor. Powder and solvent for reconstituting an infusion solution. 1 ml of the reconstituted solution contains 25 mg human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor. Composition: 1 bottle contains 1000 mg human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor. Other ingredients: Powder: Sodium chloride and sodium dihydrogen phosphate; solvent: water for injection. Indications: For long-term augmentation therapy in patients with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency (genotype PiZZ, PiZ-Null, PiNull-Null, and PiSZ) within the limits of moderate airflow obstruction (FEV1 35–60%) and the evaluation of the clinical condition (disability). Contraindications: Prolastin® must not be used in patients with selective IgA deficiency who are known to have antibodies against IgA, as allergic reactions to the point of anaphylactic shock may occur in such cases and in patients known to be hypersensitive to alpha1-proteinase inhibitors or any of the excipients. Since Prolastin® can cause a transient increase in blood volume, particular caution is necessary in patients with severe heart failure and in patients at risk of circulatory overload. Use during pregnancy and lactation: No clinical data are available on exposure to Prolastin® during pregnancy. Animal studies have not been conducted. Caution is advised if used during pregnancy. It is not known if alpha1-proteinase inhibitor is excreted into human breast milk. No animal studies are available that investigated whether alpha1-proteinase inhibitors enter the maternal milk. When deciding whether treatment with Prolastin® should be continued or stopped, the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of Prolastin® therapy for the mother should be considered. Undesirable effects: Uncommon: Chills, fever, flu-like symptoms, chest pain, urticaria, dizziness/drowsiness, headache, dyspnea, rash, nausea, arthralgia; rare: hypersensitivity reactions, back pain, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension; very rare: anaphylactic shock. Infectious diseases due to pathogen transmission via the administration of drugs derived from human blood or plasma cannot be fully ruled out. Available by prescription only. Date of information: April 2012. Grifols Deutschland GmbH, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany.

Prolastin® is licensed in 14 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden), and Switzerland.

About Trypsone®

Trypsone® is indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in adults who have congenital AAT deficiency (phenotypes PiZZ, PiZ(Null), Pi(Null)(Null), PiSZ) with clinically demonstrable panacinar emphysema. AAT deficiency is a genetic condition in which low levels of the alpha-1 protein can result in emphysema. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Trypsone® maintains protective levels of AAT and increases anti-elastase capacity in the lungs of patients with AAT deficiency. Trypsone has demonstrated good safety and tolerability in patients with emphysema related to AAT deficiency-related. For full prescribing and safety information, please visit http://www.aemps.gob.es/cima/fichasTecnicas.do?metodo=buscar.