Research and Hope Awards 2012

On September 12, 2012, PhRMA, along with distinguished members of the medical and patient community, held our national awards program in Washington DC to present awards honoring individuals and organizations who have contributed significantly to the advancement of hope and research in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

Resources from the Awards Program

Researching Alzheimer's Medicines: Setbacks and Stepping Stones

Alzheimer’s disease is among the most devastating diseases anyone can face and it is among the most costly for the health care system. Innovative new medicines will be central to treating, slowing, preventing, and even curing Alzheimer’s but the path from basic research to new treatments is not a straight line. Rather, many setbacks occur along the way which guide and redirect research studies.

Since 1998, 101 drug development projects have become inactive, of which 86 have been definitively discontinued. In that time three new medicines have been approved to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, so inactive projects outnumber approved medicines 34 to 1. In the face of these deeply disappointing setbacks, researchers take the findings from the unsuccessful projects and use that new information to step forward and continue searching. Read the Study

Medicines in Development for Alzheimer's Disease

There are more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. Hope for the future lies in medical innovation. America’s biopharmaceutical research companies are investigating or developing 93 medicines for patients with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. This research will help to bring us closer to our goal of tackling and eventually conquering this debilitating disease. Learn about these developments and read the report here.

Awards Program

Awards were given in the following categories:

The Research & Hope Award for Academic Research in Alzheimer's: Presented to individuals or a team from the academic community for outstanding research in the search for a cure of Alzheimer's disease [Awardee bios] [video]

The Research & Hope Award for Biopharmaceutical Industry Research in Alzheimer's: Presented to individuals or team from a biopharmaceutical company for outstanding research in the search for a cure for Alzheimer's disease [Awardee bios]

The Research & Hope Award for Patient Advocacy: This award is presented to an individual or organization that has had significant impact supporting and advocating for legislative or regulatory health policy issues.  Their work has increased awareness, funding for research or access to care.  The award recognizes the involvement, commitment and achievement to the fight against Alzheimer's. [Awardee bio] [video]

The Research & Hope Award:  Volunteer Champion: This award is presented to an individual who has significantly affected the lives of patients and/or home caregivers in a charitable or humanitarian way.  The Volunteer Champion recognizes individuals and caregivers who give selflessly to help other in need. [Awardee bio] [video]

The event was held at the Newseum in Washington DC.

For more information about the PhRMA Research & Hope Awards, including questions about the 2013 nominations process, contact 202-835-3460 or email us.

2012 Co-Hosts

The following organizations are Co-Hosts and key partners in the PhRMA Research and Hope Awards. You are encouraged to learn more about their organizations and the role they play in advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease. [view the sponsor video]

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

National Alliance for Caregiving

National Association for Home Care & Hospice

Learn about previous Discoverers Awards winners. 2011  |  2010

2012 Media Partners

The following media outlets are key partners in the PhRMA Research and Hope Awards. Learn more about their organizations by clicking on the logo.