ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at two universities will be studying equine pigeon fever (Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis) as recipients of the 2012 Advancement of Equine Research Awards, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI).

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Proposals by Roberta R. Pollock, Ph.D., professor of biology at Occidental College, and Allison J. Stewart, BVSc, professor of equine internal medicine at Auburn University, were selected by a panel of equine practitioners and university professors and researchers in veterinary medicine. Each award will provide $25,000 for 12-month research programs at each institution. The research awards were announced during the recent 2012 American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention in Anaheim, Calif.

"The quality of equine research proposals this year was exceptional," says Steve Grubbs, DVM, PhD, DACVIM equine professional services, BIVI. "Although this is an academic award, the top priority is to identify projects that ultimately can improve the quality of life for horses and their owners."

Dr. Pollock will focus her efforts on combining equine disease infection studies with a mouse model for pigeon fever to identify and clone protective protein antigens from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Areas of research will include the pathophysiology of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and development of an equine challenge model, and comparison of host immunity between infections resulting in internal infection and recurrent infection in recovered horses.

Dr. Stewart, assisted by graduate student Marta Barbra Recreo, will look into the transmission of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in horses by houseflies. Like Dr. Pollock, she will focus on pathophysiology and a challenge model, as well as seasonality of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection and studies of insect vectors.

The topic for the 2013 awards will be announced next spring. Veterinarians, diagnosticians, and public and private researchers in the United States and Canada are eligible to submit proposals. Awards will be selected based on established criteria, including potential impact on the equine industry; originality and scientific quality; and probability of success in completing the yearlong studies.

"I am encouraged by the quality of the proposals submitted this year," Dr. Grubbs says. "BIVI is proud to take a leading role in helping provide equine health solutions, but we would not be nearly as successful without the ongoing research conducted by dedicated research and veterinary medical professionals around the country."

For more information and complete submission instructions, please visit www.equinediseaseresearch.com.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavours.

In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $17.1 billion (13.2 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 23.5% of its net sales.

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SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim