La Universidad de Castilla – La Mancha and the Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias (Madrid) awarded in the Alcon Prize to the excellence research in Glaucoma.

-genetic Molecular human of the University of Castilla – La Mancha Group won the prize at the ‘ consolidated team ’, while earned the Group of research of the Hospital Universitario Prince of Asturias Award to the ‘ emerging team ’

-Awards excellence researcher in Glaucoma reached its fourth edition, consolidating itself as the recognitions of reference in research in this disease that affects more than one million people in Spain

-glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries and especially affects older than 60 years and patients with a family history directos2

Barcelona, March of 2013.- genetic Molecular human of the University of Castilla – La Mancha Group won the prize at the ‘ consolidated research team ’ (more than 3 senior researchers), while the Group of research of the Hospital Universitario Prince of Asturias is earned the award to the ‘ emerging research team ’ (3 or less senior researchers). Both awards are endowed with € 4,000 and € 2,000 respectively.

The delivery was held during the Congress of the Spanish society of Glaucoma (sec), held in Córdoba. Awards excellence researcher reached its fourth edition, consolidating itself as the reference in glaucoma research awards. With these awards which are given annually, Alcon wants to promote research on this disease which, according to the who, in 2020 will increase up to 11 million afectados.3 number

in its three previous editions, awards excellence researcher in Glaucoma have been awarded to the unit of research ophthalmologic Santiago Grisolía of the Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset of Valencia; in the Hospital Miguel Servet de Zaragoza; to the Experimental research of the University of Murcia unit; the Association for research in Glaucoma A.S.I.G and Ramón y Cajal and Clinico San Carlos in Madrid hospitals.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, with a consequent decrease in the visual field, which can reach even a complete loss of vision if the patient is not. There are two main types of glaucoma, open angle and closed angle. The first, more frequent and more slow-onset, is due to the blockage, partial and limited of the Elimination of the aqueous humor of the eye. Angle-closure, of acute onset, occurs when there is a sudden, partial or complete, obstruction of the Elimination of the aqueous humor due to a blockade of its drainage pathway. It is a disease that is associated with age and, therefore, with the aging of the population.

About ALCON ®

The pharmaceutical company Alcon ®, global leader in ophthalmology belonging to Novartis, is present in 180 countries and consists of more than 15,500 workers. In Spain, it has been present since 1977 and currently has 705 employees. Alcon ® specializes in specialists. It takes more than a hundred years working at the service of Ophthalmology, service professionals and in a spirit of care for the health of the eyes of millions of people. Our mission is to discover, develop, produce and market innovative products that improve the quality of life by helping people to improve their view. Our vision is to the be the company’s first choice in products for eye health and the company’s increased confidence in the world of vision care.

About Novartis

Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) provides solutions for the health care needs of patients and societies. Focused exclusively on the area of health, offers a broad portfolio of products to meet these needs: innovative medicines; vision care; generic drugs of high quality to cost savings; human vaccines and diagnostic tools; OTC; and Animal health. Novartis is the only company that has achieved a leading position in these areas. In 2012 the Group attained a turnover of USD $ 56,700 million and invested approximately 9,300 billion dollars (9.1 billion dollars excluding impairment for the depreciation of assets and depreciation) in r & d activities. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis group companies employs approximately 128,000 people have and are present in more than 140 countries around the world.

Referencia:

1 Between Mayores.es, 12.03.2012

2 World Health Organization: disability and blindness. May 2009. Page 1 see also New Estimates of visual impairment and blindness (2010)

3 World Health Organization. World Glaucoma day: Who reported 4.5 million affected by the disease.