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Inaugural BIOTECanada-UCB Pharma National Health Innovation Patient Advocacy Awards Granted

Posted on: Thursday, 25 September 2008, 09:00 CDT

Cheryl Koehn, a volunteer with Arthritis Consumer Experts, and the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, a national patient organization working to raise awareness of the needs of patients with digestive diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, were the first two recipients of the BIOTECanada-UCB Pharma Health Innovation Patient Advocacy Awards, presented today in Toronto.

The awards were presented at The Biotechnology Initiative/BioFinance luncheon in front of industry leaders and guest speaker, the honourable Peter Beattie, Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Americas and former Premier of Queensland, Australia. The awards are designed to recognize an individual and a non-profit organization that have made outstanding contributions to the healthcare system through their work to inform Canadians, empower patients, and advocate for innovative solutions in Canadian healthcare.

"As the face of health care policy changes, patient groups and volunteers are on the front lines, making a difference in our health care system everyday," said Peter Brenders, President and CEO, BIOTECanada. "All 24 nominees have shown exceptional dedication in bringing to the forefront the challenges of Canadians living with debilitating conditions, and I am proud to celebrate their contributions."

"Through our business, we work closely with various patient groups everyday and see the important contribution they are making to Canadians' lives," said Rob Hamilton, President and General Manager, UCB Pharma Canada. "One of our core company values at UCB is putting patients at the centre of everything we do. These awards are dedicated to recognizing leaders in health policy and patient advocacy who are making a real difference in the lives of Canadians living with difficult diseases. We are proud to partner with BIOTECanada on these awards."

The individual winner receives a $5,000 prize, and the non-profit organization winner receives $10,000. Winners were chosen on the basis of their impact on public awareness of diseases; their contribution to generating public healthcare policy change; demonstrated leadership, creativity an innovative thinking; an effective program of action, and realizing a better health care environment for Canadians. The Awards were judged by an independent panel of medical practitioners and healthcare policy experts.

ABOUT BIOTECanada www.biotech.ca

BIOTECanada is dedicated to the sustainable commercial development of biotechnology innovation in Canada. It is the national industry-funded association with over 230 members representing the broad spectrum of biotech constituents including emerging and established companies in the health, industrial, and agricultural sectors, as well as academic and research institutions and other related organizations.

ABOUT UCB PHARMA CANADA

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb-group.com) is a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to the research, development and commercialisation of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders and oncology. UCB focuses on securing a leading position in severe disease categories.

UCB Pharma Canada was officially incorporated in 2006 with the objective of bringing new-and, convenient therapies to the Canadian market for auto-immune, inflammatory diseases and central nervous system disorders. As a patient-focused organization, UCB Pharma Canada's is dedicated to bringing new and innovative programs to patients, and to the specialists who treat them, to help improve the lives of people living with severe diseases.

Source: Business Wire

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