SMITHKLINE BEECHAM CONTINUES SUPPORT OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH AND TREATMENT AT EMORY WITH $200,000 GIFT

January 20, 1997

Media Contacts: Sarah Goodwin, 404/727-3366 - sgoodwi@emory.edu
Kathi Ovnic, 404/727-9371 - covnic@emory.edu
http://www.emory.edu/WHSC/

This week's $200,000 check given to the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the Emory University School of Medicine is but the latest show of support by SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals for psychiatric research and treatment at Emory.

For many years, the corporation has supported departmental programs by funding a large number of clinical trials of experimental drugs and providing educational grants. Within the past two years, however, SmithKline Beecham has contributed $510,000 toward an endowed professorship for the department. Coupled with the recent $200,000 gift and donations from other sources, the $1.2 million chair is nearly funded, says Charles B. Nemeroff, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the department.

"Although it is not unusual for pharmaceutical companies to support departments of psychiatry at U.S. medical schools with research grants and clinical research, it is highly unusual for such companies to provide unrestricted gifts such as this one," Dr. Nemeroff says. "This generosity will allow for the establishment of the SmithKline Beecham Chair in Psychiatry at Emory."

Emory psychiatric investigators have led clinical trials of SmithKline Beecham products undergoing Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of depression (Paxil) and anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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