Grant Program Overview

The Genzyme Renal Innovations Program (GRIP) distributes grants to researchers, clinicians and fellows in the field of nephrology. GRIP was established to support the advancement of medical knowledge and practice in kidney diseases through innovative research projects in nephrology. It represents Genzyme’s commitment to improving care for patients with kidney disease. In pursuing this commitment, we hope to create an enduring partnership with the worldwide nephrology community.

Grants are awarded each year, with funding available for up to a maximum of $50,000 USD per year for a period of 1 to 3 years. A maximum of ten grants are awarded each year. All proposals are considered proprietary and confidential, and are not reproduced except for purposes of program administration.

Step 1. Letter of Intent Submission.
The Letter of Intent is a brief summary, not to exceed three pages, outlining the research intent and approach. The Letter of Intent must reach Genzyme by February 15, 2010. Download instructions for the Letter of Intent here. Your completed Letter of Intent documentation should be uploaded using the webcargo secure link.

Step 2. Letter of Intent Review.
The independent review board will review all Letters of Intent to determine if the proposed research is appropriate for the program.

Step 3. Request for Proposals.
All applicants will be notified in late March via email whether or not the Review Board recommends they submit a full research proposal.

Step 4. Proposal Submission.
Requested Proposals must reach Genzyme by May 5, 2010. Download the Research Proposal Application here. Completed proposals should be uploaded using the webcargo secure link.

Step 5. Grants Announcement.
Grant recipients will be announced in June 2010 at the European Dialysis and Transplantation (EDTA) meeting in Munich, Germany.

Step 6. Research Agreements Signed.
A research agreement will be signed and payments made in semi-annual installments beginning in September 2010.

An independent medical review board, composed of worldwide thought leaders in the nephrology community, will review, evaluate, and score all Letters of Intent and Research Proposals. Each year membership on the review board is rotated to maintain broad scientific judgment. In addition to the scientific merit of the proposed research, the medical review board considers the following criteria when evaluating proposals:

Should an applicant be awarded a GRIP grant, the recipient and Genzyme will sign a research agreement. This agreement will contain the terms and conditions of the research study, including obligations for the recipient to report study progress every six months, publication rights, confidentiality and first option rights for Genzyme when an industrial application is anticipated.

For questions regarding the GRIP scientific content please email Robert Guiberteau, MD at Robert.guiberteau@genzyme.com. For questions regarding the GRIP application process, please email Joe Bankovich, Grant Program Administrator at grip@genzyme.com.

Hectorol is indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with Stage 3 or Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (capsules) and in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on dialysis (capsules and injection). Hectorol is contraindicated in patients with a tendency towards hypercalcemia or current evidence of vitamin D toxicity. Overdosage of any form of vitamin D is dangerous. Acute hypercalcemia may exacerbate tendencies for cardiac arrhythmias and seizures and may potentiate the action of digitalis drugs. Chronic hypercalcemia can lead to generalized vascular and soft tissue calcification. Pharmacologic doses of vitamin D and its derivatives should be withheld during Hectorol treatment to avoid possible additive effects and hypercalcemia. Magnesium-containing antacids and Hectorol should not be administered concomitantly. Adverse effects of Hectorol treatment are: hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypercalciuria, and oversuppression of iPTH. Adverse events reported by ≥ 5% of the Hectorol-treated predialysis patients included: infection, chest pain, constipation, dyspepsia, anemia, dehydration, depression, hypertonia, insomnia, paresthesia, increased cough, dyspnea, and rhinitis. Adverse events reported by ≥ 5% of the Hectorol-treated dialysis patients included: headache, malaise, bradycardia, nausea/vomiting, edema, dizziness, dyspnea, and pruritus. See Hectorol Capsules Full Prescribing Information or Hectorol Injection Full Prescribing Information or call Genzyme Medical Information at 1-800-847-0069.