Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis and American Thoracic Society Continue Commitment to Pulmonary Fibrosis Research

CPF Commits to ATS to Fund Four New 2-Year Grants Totaling $400,000

CULVER CITY, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the world's leading professional organization for pulmonary, critical care and sleep physicians, today announced that the CPF will again partner with the ATS to continue to fund Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) research.  The CPF and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) will each commit $200,000 to co-fund four two-year research grants and the ATS will provide management of the grants.  Each researcher will receive $50,000 per year to support their work in PF.

"The four researchers awarded grants this year are doing work that could be critically important in the search to find treatments for PF," said Marvin I. Schwarz, Chairman of the Board of the CPF and James C. Campbell Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. "It is especially exciting for us to be able to offer four new grants for 2010-2011, which doubles our commitment and possibly the opportunity for breakthrough research."

Research in PF has been minimal historically compared with research into other diseases, including diseases that affect fewer Americans and that are not imminently deadly like PF.  The CPF is committed to increasing the amount of research in PF by contributing directly to PF research efforts.  

The awards will be presented to:

1. Steven Huang, Lecturer, University of Michigan
2. Philip Simonian, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado, Denver
3. Beiyun Zhou, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Southern California
4. Erica Herzog, Assistant Professor, Yale University

"The American Thoracic Society is very grateful for the doubling of grant funding from the Coalition. This year's applicants were exceptional and we are excited to have a partnership that allows us to optimize the possibility of new discoveries in PF," said Jesse Roman, M.D., Chair of the ATS Scientific Advisory Committee.

The ATS/CPF Partnership Grant for Pulmonary Fibrosis was established in 2006.

About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring – known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 128,000 Americans suffer from PF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.  Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

About the CPF

The CPF is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 19,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

About the American Thoracic Society

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) is a non-profit, international, professional and scientific society for respiratory, critical care and sleep medicine. The ATS is committed globally to the prevention and treatment of respiratory disease through research, education, patient care and advocacy. The long-range goal of the ATS is to decrease morbidity and mortality from respiratory disorders and life threatening acute illnesses in people of all ages. In keeping with these goals, the American Thoracic Society interacts with both national and international organizations which have similar goals. For more information please visit www.thoracic.org.

SOURCE Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

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