DEERFIELD, Ill., April 5, 2006 – Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced a new Renal Discoveries Extramural Grant Program (EGP) designed to promote scientific advancement and training in the field of kidney disease. The program features larger grant awards than Baxter's previous grant program, and focuses exclusively on translational research, i.e., research that can be translated into clinical applications to improve patient care. It combines grants for research projects with grants for fellowship training at funded institutions.

 

“There is continuing pressure for funding of renal research in many countries, including the United States, and there is often an absence of funding for such research in the developing world,” said Sarah S. Prichard, M.D., vice president of global medical/clinical affairs and research for Baxter's Renal business. “As a leading provider of products and technologies for renal therapy, Baxter is committed to expanding the knowledge of kidney failure and its treatment through this program, directed at the academic community in the field of nephrology.”

 

Four grants of up to $125,000 per year for three years will be awarded for research and fellowships at nephrology training centers in the Asia/Pacific, Latin America, North America and Europe/Middle East/Africa/Russia regions. One grant will be awarded per region. The research grants will support translational research in the areas of dialytic therapies, chronic kidney disease, and co-morbidities associated with end-stage renal disease, with the goal of improving the quality of life and reducing the morbidity and mortality of patients with kidney disease. The fellowship-training component of the grants will support at least one research fellow at each winning institution during the course of the grant period.

 

The EGP is endorsed by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN). “The ISN encourages researchers and research institutions involved in advancing the knowledge of kidney disease and its treatment to participate in this program,” said ISN President William G. Couser, M.D. “The ultimate goal is better outcomes for patients.”

 

The program was announced in March 2006 and the deadline for receipt of applications is September 8, 2006. Applications will be evaluated and winners selected by an independent medical advisory board made up of leaders in the nephrology community from each region. Winners will be announced at the annual American Society of Nephrology (ASN) conference in November 2006.

 

The new Renal Discoveries EGP is the latest evolution of an existing grant program that has distributed more than US $29 million to 243 grant winners from 22 countries since its inception in 1989.

 

Baxter is a leader in the field of dialysis. It is the world's leading manufacturer of products for peritoneal dialysis and also distributes products for hemodialysis. The company helped pioneer both therapies, introducing the first disposable coil dialyzer in 1956 and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in 1978.

 

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal U.S. operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX). Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. For more information about Baxter, please visit www.baxter.com . For more information on the Renal Discoveries extramural grant program, please visit www.baxter.com/egp , send an e-mail from Baxter's website or call +1-847-473-6991.

 

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) is a not-for-profit society whose mission is the global advancement of nephrology. ISN promotes research and education to prevent and treat kidney disease throughout the world. Further information is available at www.isn-online.org or by calling +32-2-743 1546.