ACR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION ACKNOWLEDGES 2011 INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE MEMBER SUPPORT

CHICAGO - The ACR Research and Education Foundation this week during the 75th ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting acknowledges those companies providing support to the organization. These leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies provide financial support for REF programs as members of the Industry Roundtable.

The Industry Roundtable brings together the REF and pharmaceutical industry leaders in a dynamic partnership while serving as a powerful forum for dialogue between the industry and the REF. As a direct result of the multi-year, exemplary support of Industry Roundtable members, the REF continues to increase funding for research and training. Participation in the Industry Roundtable is a direct investment toward helping to ensure that well-trained and qualified rheumatologists are entering the field, while also making advancements in patient care.

The 2011 REF Industry Roundtable member companies are:

Abbott
Amgen, Inc.
Eli Lilly and Company
Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group
Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Pfizer Inc
UCB, Inc.

The ACR Research and Education Foundation was established in 1985 as a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission of advancing research and training to improve the health of people with rheumatic diseases. Over the last decade, the REF has grown to become the premier private source of funding for rheumatology training and research in the U.S. On average, 90 cents of every dollar donated to the REF is used to fund its extensive core awards and grants program. For more information, visit www.rheumatology.org/REF.