The Astellas European Foundation announced the recipient of the 2014 Functional Urology and Uro-Gynecology Grant as Dr. Marianne Gamper for a project to be undertaken jointly in Austria and Switzerland to quantify marker levels to identify the potential relationship between Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB) and Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis. The successful project team represents three different centers: Kantonsspital Frauenfeld and ETH Zürich (Switzerland) and Medizinische Universität Graz (Austria).

 

At an event announcing the winner in Stockholm, Sweden, the Astellas European Foundation emphasized their continued and long term commitment to research and development. Dr. Ayad Abdulahad, Astellas European Foundation trustee and head of medical affairs and health economics for Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., commented: “We received 35 entries from across Europe. The Foundation would like to thank all of those who submitted research proposals. The standard of entries was very high, and covered a broad range of topics in functional urology and also those in uro-gynecology.  The project led by Dr. Gamper and the research team has the potential to verify a hypothesis that could lead to improved early diagnosis and more targeted treatment for OAB and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis patients.”

 

Gamper, from Kantonsspital Frauenfeld, said: “We want to identify, quantify and compare molecular marker levels in patient samples and associate the results with the severity of clinical findings. The prize money directly provides the essential financial support for our laboratory work, thereby enabling us to continue our fundamental and important research on debilitating chronic bladder diseases.”

 

The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity with the long-term goal of providing support for programs and activities that advance our understanding of medicine and health. The Astellas European Foundation Urology Grant supports basic medical and related scientific programs which contribute to advancements in urology. The winner of the Grant was chosen by a Judging Faculty that includes independent European thought leaders.

 

Date: April 14, 2014