EASD/EFSD, Chinese Diabetes Society and Eli Lilly and Company partner to support collaborative diabetes research between China and Europe

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, September 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- 1.8 million Euro research partnership programme aims to promote diabetes research and increase public awareness of the burden of diabetes

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD), the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) and Eli Lilly and Company today announced a long-term funding relationship for Chinese diabetes research. On the occasion of the 43rd Annual Meeting of EASD in Amsterdam, the partnership initiative was unveiled to the public.

The research partnership programme was established to promote collaborative diabetes research between Europe and China. "China is facing an alarming increase of diabetes patients and estimations for the year 2025 clearly show that rapid action is needed to investigate therapeutic solutions to meet the needs of millions of patients in our country," said Professor Yang Wen Ying, President of the Chinese Diabetes Society.

Through a sponsorship from Lilly of 1.8 million euros, one EASD post-graduate course and a number of EFSD research grants per year will be supported to encourage young Chinese researchers to investigate in the field of diabetes.

"In our efforts to gain a deeper understanding of this serious condition, we think it is crucial to look beyond Europe and gain insights from a variety of different regions. We believe that this partnership prepares the grounds to rapidly diffuse acquired knowledge and to facilitate its application in the country as well as benefit our global understanding of the disease," said Professor Ele Ferrannini, President of EASD and EFSD.

"Lilly is proud to partner with EASD, EFSD and the Chinese Diabetes Society to increase collaborative research initiatives between China and Europe. We are deeply committed to scientific research and bringing breakthrough pharmaceutical products to diabetes patients. Developing educational and support programmes that directly benefit people living with and treating diabetes across China and around the world is also part of our commitment to fight this disease," said John Lechleiter, Ph.D., President and Chief Operating Officer at Eli Lilly and Company.

In cooperation with EFSD, Eli Lilly and Company is also funding the EFSD/Lilly Diabetes Research Programme in Europe. During the period 2003-2005, programme funds totalled 1 million euros. A further 1.2 million euros was made available for research grants during the period 2006-2008. Each year, up to four grants are awarded, each to the value of 100,000 euros.

For more information about existing grant and fellowship programmes sponsored by EFSD and Eli Lilly, please visit the EFSD website: www.EuropeanDiabetesFoundation.org.

About Diabetes

Described as an 'epidemic' or 'time bomb', diabetes currently affects an estimated 246 million people worldwide(1) - this is set to increase to 380 million by 2025.(2)

In virtually every developed society, diabetes is ranked among the leading causes of blindness, renal failure and lower limb amputation, as well as death through its effects on cardiovascular disease (70-80 percent of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease).(3)

Because of its population size and its fast economic development, China has the greatest potential to suffer from an exploding diabetes epidemic.(4) The prevalence of diabetes will rise from more than 39 million in 2007 to an estimated 56 million in 2025.(5)

About EASD/EFSD

In 1999, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) increased its commitment to stimulate diabetes research in Europe by creating the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD). The Foundation is closely related to EASD; it is governed exclusively by the Executive Committee of EASD, which itself is under the close supervision of the EASD Council and General Assembly. EFSD operates on a strictly non-profit basis under the control of the relevant authorities for charity and taxation in order to support diabetes research.

Since its inception, EFSD has committed over 42.5 million euros to diabetes research in Europe by means of partnership grant programmes, resource awards and fellowships. In the last five years, the Foundation has become a significant European funding agency for diabetes research, and is continually striving to enhance awareness in Europe of the severity and magnitude of this devastating disease.

About The Chinese Diabetes Society

Founded in 1991, the Chinese Diabetes Society conducts public education programs, epidemiological surveys and research in China. The mission of CDS is to prevent and treat diabetes and provide information to help educate people living with diabetes, their families, health care professionals, and the public about this disease. Each year, the CDS organizes a national diabetes conference and is actively involved in providing continuous education for physicians. The CDS has played an important role in diabetes care, academic exchange and scientific research in China. The Society is a member of the International Diabetes Federation.

About Lilly

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.

REFERENCES (1) International Diabetes Federation, 2006 Diabetes Atlas, Third edition, p. 35 (Figure 1). (2) International Diabetes Federation, Prevalence / All diabetes. Available at: http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?node=264. Accessed July 30, 2007 (3) International Diabetes Federation, Complications. Available at: http://www.eatlas.idf.org/Complications/. Accessed July 30, 2007 (4) International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Atlas, Third edition, p.33. (5) International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Atlas, Third edition, tables 1.37 and 1.38.

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