NEW YORK, N.Y., October 2 - Today the International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) and Pfizer Independent Grants for Learning & Change (IGLC) announce their collaboration on a new grant opportunity focused on improving care for patients around the world with medium or high levels of cardiovascular risk, with a particular focus on dyslipidemia.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) being issued today by both organizations is intended to encourage organizations to submit concepts and ideas for design and implementation of scalable, sustainable programs for healthcare providers and patients in developing countries, designed to improve the management of dyslipidemia and other cardiovascular risk factors.

The IAS is an international federation of 64 national and regional societies whose basic missions are to promote the scientific understanding of the etiology, prevention, and treatment of atherosclerosis. The IAS exists to coordinate the exchange of scientific information among its member societies, to foster research into the development of atherosclerosis and related cardiometabolic diseases, and to help translate this knowledge into improving the effectiveness of programs designed to prevent and treat this disease. As such, the IAS is able to create partnerships worldwide, especially in those areas of the world where the epidemic of atherosclerosis and its related diseases is exploding and thus meet the growing needs in countries in Central and South America, in Eastern Europe, in Africa, in the Gulf Region and in South and South-East Asia.

The mission of the IGLC is to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based innovations that align the mutual interests of patients, healthcare professionals, and Pfizer, through support of independent professional education activities. The term “independent” means the initiatives funded by Pfizer are the full responsibility of the recipient organization. Pfizer has no influence over any aspect of the initiatives, and only asks for reports about the results and impact of the initiatives which it may share publicly.

Comprehensive management of lipids is increasingly recognized as an integral component of cardiovascular risk reduction. However, there remains a wide gap that separates treatment recommendations and real-world lipid management. This is especially evident in economically developing countries.

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease accounted for nearly 1 of every 3 deaths in 2004, and approximately 80% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries.[i] In 2010 the Institute of Medicine issued a report, commissioned by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, to address the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in developing countries.[ii] This report identified numerous barriers to the control of global cardiovascular disease, as well as specific recommendations to increase investment and implementation of cardiovascular disease prevention and management efforts in low- and middle-income countries. Crucial to these efforts are an increased awareness of chronic diseases as a public health priority and coordination among global, national, and regional stakeholders to strengthen healthcare systems.

This RFP is being issued today by both organizations. The IAS is the lead organization for review and evaluation of applications. A review committee, led by the IAS, will ultimately make decisions on which proposals will receive funding. Grant funding will be provided by Pfizer. Collectively, up to $2 million is available for award. Initially, project concepts and ideas must be submitted as “Letters of Intent” to the Pfizer website by the deadline of October 31, 2013 and must be a maximum of 3-pages in length.

Only the member societies of the IAS or their partner organizations may submit Letters of Intent to this RFP. Partnering and collaboration is strongly encouraged.

Organizations interested in responding to this RFP should reach out to the IAS member society in their country or region of the world and submit a collaborative proposal. Similarly, IAS member societies interested in responding to this RFP should bring into their project appropriate partner organizations such as academic medical centers, hospitals or healthcare systems, and other societies or associations.

For further information about the RFP please email [email protected] or [email protected] or visit the organization websites below.

Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.

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References

[i] World Health Organization (WHO). Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). Fact Sheet No. 317. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2011. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/print.html. Accessed May 16, 2012.

[ii] Institute of Medicine (IOM). Fuster V, Kelly BB eds. Promoting Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World: A Critical Challenge to Achieve Global Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2010. http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12815. Accessed May 16, 2012.