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MEDIA CENTER The Population Council and Sheldon Segal to be Awarded
NEW YORK, NY (23 September 2008) — The Population Council and Sheldon Segal, Distinguished Scientist at the Council, will be awarded the 2008 Prix Galien USA Pro Bono Humanum Award for their role in developing implantable hormone delivery systems. Broadcast journalist Charlie Rose will emcee the awards ceremony on 24 September 2008 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Segal directed the research and development of Norplant®, the first contraceptive implant on the market. Currently, eight million women worldwide use contraceptive implants such as Norplant, Implanon®, and Jadelle®. The Prix Galien USA Award recognizes the technical, scientific, and clinical research skills necessary to develop innovative medicines that improve the human condition. It is considered the industry's highest accolade for pharmaceutical research and development. “I am delighted that the distinguished Prix Galien selection committee has selected the Population Council and Dr. Segal for this honor,” said Council president Peter Donaldson. “Millions of women around the world have benefited from contraceptive implants. We are proud of the role we played in developing this product under Shelly’s leadership.” Segal said, “I am greatly honored that the Prix Galien committee has chosen to recognize our efforts to provide women with new, safe, and effective contraceptive options. In singling out our work for this high honor, the selection committee recognizes the efforts of a coalition of biomedical and social scientists from the Population Council and many other organizations who are committed to improving women’s health around the globe.” Over 100 million women around the world have used a Population Council–developed form of long-term reversible contraception, including Norplant, Jadelle (a successor to Norplant), the Mirena® intrauterine system, and copper intrauterine devices. The Council continues to develop contraceptives, including contraceptive rings, gels, and sprays. The award also will recognize other coalition members: the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the late Judah Folkman of Harvard University, Dow-Corning, and Wyeth. The award will be presented on 24 September 2008 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Last year's inaugural awards recognized Dr. Roy Vagelos with a Pro Bono Humanum Award for his historic decision to donate the drug Mectizan to more than 530 million people in 34 countries to treat and prevent river blindness. Vagelos was presented the Humanum Award by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel on behalf of the selection committee at the award ceremony in 2007. The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental research organization that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of regional and country offices. ###
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