Merck Announces Recipients of Third Annual Euro 1 Million 'Grant for Oncology Innovation' Award

PR66083

DARMSTADT, Germany, Oct. 10, 2016, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

      Not intended for UK- or UK-based media

- Grant established by Merck recognizes pioneering research in personalized

treatment of solid tumors     

- Winners selected by internationally renowned oncologists from 405

applications representing 49 countries

    Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the

recipients of the 2016 Grant for Oncology Innovation (GOI), who will share a

EUR1 million grant to progress their respective research initiatives. The

winners were formally awarded yesterday evening at an award presentation

coinciding with the 2016 annual European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161006/415895 )

    The three winning proposals, which focus on breast cancer, colorectal

cancer and lung cancer, were selected from a total of 405 applications

representing 49 countries, following a comprehensive review by an expert

scientific steering committee made up of internationally renowned oncologists.

    The 2016 GOI winners are:

- Alberto Bardelli, University of Torino, Italy, for his proposal:

'Heterogeneity and clonal evolution as a therapeutic opportunity for colorectal

cancers'    

- Enriqueta Felip, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Spain, for her

proposal: 'New technologies for new treatments: liquid biopsy meets

immunotherapy'     

- Dr Dongxu Liu, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand for his

proposal: 'How does SHON* expression in tumors determine the efficacy of

endocrine therapy in breast cancer?'

    "The Grant for Oncology Innovation is an example of Merck's commitment to

scientific innovation in oncology. We are proud to support pioneering work that

pushes the boundaries of creativity and science in order to deliver

transformative innovation with a potential to improve the lives of cancer

patients in the near-term future," said Dr Steven Hildemann,  Global Chief

Medical Officer and Head of Global Medical and Safety at Merck's Biopharma

business. "We are honored to recognize these talented and inspiring researchers

and to play a role in enabling these innovative projects to become a reality."

    These awards mark the third successful year for GOI. Every year, Merck

offers grants totaling EUR1 million through the GOI program.  More information

about the GOI can be found online at:

    http://www.grantforoncologyinnovation.org

    Merck is committed to rewarding innovation and new thinking that could

further advance the field of medicine. To learn more about the variety of

innovation grants that Merck offers, visit:

http://www.merckgroup.com/en/innovation/grants_awards_initiatives/innovation_grants_awards_initiatives.html

    *Secreted hominoid-specific oncogene (SHON), an estrogen-regulated gene.

    For further information and press materials please visit:

http://www.merckgroup.com/media-center-oncology

    All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they

become available on the Merck Website. Please go to

http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection

or discontinue this service.

    About Merck

    Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life

science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further

develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical

therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for

scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD

televisions. In 2015, Merck generated sales of EUR 12.85 billion in 66

countries.

    Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical

company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed

corporate group. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck

name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the

company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

    Contact: Heike Schmiedt, +49-6151-72-7498

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151207/293543LOGO )

SOURCE: Merck