Pfizer Canada Announces Recipients of Neuropathic Pain Research Awards Program

    First Awards Competition Dedicated to Neuropathic Pain Research

    Kirkland, QC, May 29 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada is pleased to announce the
recipients of their first Neuropathic Pain Research Awards Competition. This
grant competition aims to fund and support independent neuropathic pain
research in the areas of basic biomedical, clinical and health service and
systems sciences. Pfizer Canada is strongly committed to improving the lives
of Canadian patients suffering from neuropathic pain and is pleased to support
Canadian medical innovation through this grant competition.
    Neuropathic pain is a disease caused by injury or dysfunction of the
nerves, spinal cord or brain. It is estimated that over 2.2 million Canadians
suffer from this chronic condition, often in combination with other types of
pain such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and migraine headaches.
    Seventeen research proposals were reviewed by an independent committee of
Canadian medical researchers, chaired by Dr. A. John Clark, Medical Director,
Calgary Health Region Chronic Pain Centre. Eight proposals were funded based
on ranked scores from the independent committee. The recipients represent a
diverse group of healthcare professionals and scientists committed to
furthering research and understanding of neuropathic pain.
    "This awards program recognizes the severity of neuropathic pain as a
disease and the important work of some of Canada's leading researchers who are
committed to understanding and learning more about neuropathic pain," said Dr.
Clark. "The work they are doing is of tremendous importance to not only
Canadian patients but people around the world who suffer from this disease."

    The recipients of the 2007 awards are:

    Catherine Bushnell, PhD

    Professor, Department of Dentistry and Anesthesia
    McGill Centre for Research on Pain
    McGill University
    Dr. Bushnell's research will focus on determining the longitudinal
changes in brain morphology and function associated with chronic pain in rat
models of neuropathic pain.

    Catherine Marie Cahill, MSc, PhD

    Assistant Professor, CRC in Chronic Pain
    Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
    Queen's University
    Dr. Cahill's research will investigate the mechanisms in neuropathic pain
models; focussing on the role of NMDA receptor linked intracellular signalling
cascades and the role of reactive glia in translocation of pre- and
post-synaptic delta opioid receptors.

    Stephan K. W. Schwarz, MD, PhD, FRCPC

    Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology &
Therapeutics
    The University of British Columbia
    Dr. Schwarz's research will examine intravenous lidocaine as a tool to
identify novel drug targets for post-operative and neuropathic pain control -
supraspinal mechanisms and effects on calcium conductances.

    Thuan Dao, DMD, MSc, PhD, FRCDC

    Associate Professor
    Faculty of Dentistry
    University of Toronto
    Dr. Dao's research will evaluate the efficacy of pregabalin in the
treatment of orofacial neuropathic pain

    Hance A. Clarke, MD, MSc

    Senior Anesthesia Resident & PhD Candidate, Department of Anesthesia
    University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Dr. Clarke's research will examine the short and long term effects of
perioperative pregabalin use on functional rehabilitation, pain outcomes and
anxiety following total hip arthroplasty in a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial.

    Serge Marchand, PhD

    Researcher and Professor
    Faculty of Medicine
    University of Sherbrooke
    Dr. Marchand's work will investigate the antihyperalgesic properties of
pregabalin accomplished by provoking wind-up and by recording the spinal
(flexion reflex) and cortical (ERPs and pain scales) responses evoked during
repetitive sural nerve stimulations.

    James L. Henry, PhD

    Scientific Director and Professor
    Michael G. DeGroote Institute Pain Research & Care
    McMaster University
    Dr. Henry's first research project will examine the peripheral
anti-inflammatory effects of pregabalin - entrance to treatment of comorbid
conditions. His second research project will evaluate the early intervention
with pregabalin during the initiation phase of an animal model of peripheral
neuropathic pain.

    About Pfizer Canada Inc.

    Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc, the world's
leading pharmaceutical company. Pfizer discovers, develops, manufactures and
markets prescription medicines for humans and animals. Pfizer's ongoing
research and development activities focus on a wide range of therapeutic areas
following our guiding aspiration...Working for a healthier world. For more
information, visit www.pfizer.ca.

For further information: Christina Antoniou, Pfizer Canada Inc., (514)
693-4766, (514) 208-5960, christina.antoniou@pfizer.com; Farah Meghji,
Thornley Fallis Communications, (416) 515-7517 ext. 249,
meghji@thornleyfallis.com; Karen Nussbaum, Thornley Fallis Communications,
(416) 515-7517 ext. 234, nussbaum@thornleyfallis.com