Record number of grants and dollars given to study psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

PORTLAND, Ore., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twenty-six scientists have received a total of $2.06 million in grants from the National Psoriasis Foundation to study psoriasis—the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans—and psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint and tendon disease.

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(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120515/DC07677-b)

• Eight scientists each received a one-year, $50,000 Discovery Grant, for a total of $400,000, for pilot projects that have great potential to lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of psoriatic diseases and to discover better treatments. The grants are also intended to lay the groundwork for additional, long-term funding from the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies. Learn about the National Psoriasis Foundation Discovery Grant recipients and their projects at www.psoriasis.org/grants/2012/discovery.   
• Six scientists each received a two-year, $200,000 Translational Grant, for a total of $1.2 million, for studies that aim to move laboratory and clinical discoveries into projects and treatments that benefit patients. Read about the Translational Research Grant recipients and their work at www.psoriasis.org/grants/2012/translational.
• Twelve early-career dermatologists were awarded Psoriasis Foundation medical dermatology fellowships totaling $465,000. These fellowships provide support of up to $40,000 per year to new doctors training to do research in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The fellowships are intended to increase the number of doctors studying psoriatic diseases. Meet the National Psoriasis Foundation Fellows at: www.psoriasis.org/grants/2012/fellowship.

"National Psoriasis Foundation is committed to funding promising research," said Chip Newton of the National Psoriasis Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee. "This year, due to a record number of applicants, we awarded the highest number of grants and dollars in our organization's history. Each of these projects has tremendous potential to advance our knowledge of psoriatic diseases, lead to new treatments and, we hope, even a cure for these diseases."

To learn more about the National Psoriasis Foundation research priorities and how you can support a cure, visit www.psoriasis.org/research.

About National Psoriasis Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit organization serving people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our mission is to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education. For more information, call the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or visit www.psoriasis.org. Follow the Psoriasis Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation