New Brunswick, NJ, November 16, 2011 — Researchers from several HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) member companies were recently recognized for their breakthrough research and awarded the prestigious Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award from the Research and Development Council of New Jersey.
More than 40 researchers from thirteen New Jersey companies, universities and the U.S. Army were honored at an awards ceremony held November 10, 2011, at the Liberty Science Center for their work in thirteen research and development categories.
Researchers from HINJ member companies receiving a Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award were:
- Rajeev Bhide, Zhen-Wei Cai, Ligang Qian, Stephanie Barbosa, Louis Lombardo and Jeffrey Robl of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the pharmaceutical category for their patent “Pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]Triazine Inhibitors of Kinases” (U.S. Patent 6,869,952).
- Dr. Robert Hariri of Celgene in the biomaterials category for his patent “Tissue Matrices Comprising Placental Stem Cells, and Methods Making the Same” (U.S. Patent 7,914,779).
- Drs. William J. McBride and David M. Goldenberg of Immunomedics in the medical imaging category for their patent “Methods and Compositions For Improved F-18 Labeling of Proteins, Peptides and Other Molecules” (U.S. Patent 7,597,876).
- Wen-Chung Shieh and John Carlson of Novartis, in the pharmaceutical process category for their patent “Method of Manufacture of (-)-Galanthamine in High Yield and Purity Substantially Free of Epigalanthamine” (U.S. Patent 5,428,159). The Council also bestowed its “Science & Technology Medal” on Dr. Ann Weber and Nancy Thornberry of Merck, who led the research team that discovered and developed Januvia, a major breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes.
“The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey congratulates these outstanding researchers and their companies for their work in advancing human health,” said Dean J. Paranicas, president and chief executive officer of HINJ. “Their achievements epitomize what our industry is all about – discovering new medicines and therapies to cure disease and improve the quality of life for the afflicted.”
Council President Anthony Cicatiello added, “New Jersey has a long and proud history of global leadership in innovation and R&D. The Council is proud to celebrate the latest breakthroughs in research from our state′s foremost scientists, and showcase their work for the world to see.”
Founded in 1997, HINJ serves as a unified voice for the state′s life sciences industry. It seeks to expand public access to the latest and most innovative treatments for diseases and build awareness of the industry′s impact on New Jersey′s quality of life and economic well-being. It helps to advance the development and implementation of sound public health and business policies that support the interests of New Jersey, its people and its life sciences industry.