Nobel Media and AstraZeneca Bring Nobel Laureate to China, Programme includes medical forum on innovation and university lectures

Nobel Media AB, the company responsible for managing and developing media rights in connection with the Nobel Prize and AstraZeneca, a global innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company, officially launched the AstraZeneca Nobel Medicine Initiative in China. The aim of the global Initiative is to increase interest in the Nobel Prize awarded achievements within the fields of Physiology or Medicine among the general public, students and researchers and to explain the benefits of these discoveries. The Initiative in China comprises a series of high-profile events, including medical forums on innovation and lectures at universities. It is the first programme of this kind in China and is intended to become an annual event.

Professor Barry Marshall, awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, will share his innovative approach to science.

At the opening ceremony earlier today, the President of AstraZeneca China, Mark Mallon, welcomed Professor Barry Marshall to Shanghai and introduced him to the 150 medical doctors, scientists and media in attendance. The medical forum that followed put the spotlight on innovation. Professor Marshall gave a speech entitled ‘Lessons from the Nobel Prize: Past, Present and Future.’ Professor You Suning, Director and Chief Editor, Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, shared his views on how to communicate the latest medical research developments to Chinese and global audiences while Steve Yang, AstraZeneca Vice President, R&D Asia & Emerging Markets, spoke about the importance of innovation for pharmaceutical companies.

During the next two days, Professor Marshall will lecture at both Fudan University and Peking University, providing unique opportunities for students to interact directly with him. Other activities include roundtable discussions with experts and student Q&A sessions.

Professor Marshall commented, “I am delighted to be participating in this inaugural AstraZeneca Nobel Medicine Initiative event in China. With medical research in China growing at such an impressive rate, the timing is right to launch a programme of educational events to inspire the next generation of Chinese scientists. I look forward to discussing my Nobel Prize awarded research with students at Fudan and Peking Universities. My lectures will be based around my Nobel Prize awarded work on the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, including lessons I've learned, my current research and thoughts for the future."

“The launch of this initiative in China represents a significant milestone for AstraZeneca,” said Mark Mallon, President of AstraZeneca China. “As a research-based company focused on discovering and developing new medicines that make a difference in the lives of patients, innovation is at the core of everything we do. We are proud to partner with Nobel Media to inspire students and scientists to aim higher in their pursuit of innovation and increasing public awareness about the important role of medical innovation and research.”

Nobel Media AB, as the co-organizer of the AstraZeneca Nobel Medicine Initiative event, plays a vital role in spreading knowledge about the Nobel Prize awarded achievements through broadcast and digital media, events and publishing worldwide. Ms. Camilla Hyltén-Cavallius, CEO for Nobel Media, emphasized the significance of the Initiative, “This event is an unprecedented educational programme to motivate researchers and students to have an innovative approach to science by learning from the Nobel Laureates’ inspiring stories. We highly appreciate this joint effort with AstraZeneca.”

To read more about the AstraZeneca Nobel Medicine Initiative:

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_organizations/nobelmedia/s_partners/astrazeneca/

Notes to Editors:

About Professor Barry Marshall

Barry J. Marshall was awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, together with J. Robin Warren, "for their discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease". Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the stomach in about 50% of all humans, making it the most common chronic infection in the world. In 1984, Marshall proved that the new germ was harmful in a well-publicized self-administered experiment, in which he drank a culture of H. pylori. Despite this, widespread skepticism that a bacterium could be causing ulcers continued. In addition to devising a combination of drugs that killed H. pylori bacteria, and eliminated ulcers, Marshall developed the diagnostic tests PYtest (Urea Breath Test) and the CLOtest (Rapid Urease Test).

About Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach in humans and is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide. H. pylori infection is most likely acquired by ingesting contaminated food and water and through person to person contact. The infection is more common in crowded living conditions with poor sanitation. Infected individuals usually carry the infection indefinitely unless they are treated with medications to eradicate the bacterium. One out of every six patients with H. pylori infection will develop ulcers of the duodenum or stomach. H. pylori also is associated with stomach cancer and a rare type of lymphocytic tumor of the stomach called MALT lymphoma.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com

About Nobel Media AB

Nobel Media AB aims to spread knowledge and interest in the Nobel Prize awarded achievements to a global audience, through digital and broadcast media, publishing and events. Included in Nobel Media’s portfolio is Nobelprize.org, the official web site of the Nobel Prize, which currently receives over 41 million visitors. Production of official television programmes consists of The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo, The Nobel Banquet, Nobel Documentaries, Nobel Minds, Nobel Laureates and the Nobel Prize Concert. Through these programmes, over 250 million viewers are reached all over the world.

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