News Release

Three Pfizer Inc chemists win Heroes award for epilepsy treatment for children, adults

Grant and Award Announcement

American Chemical Society

Three research chemists from Pfizer Inc, Ann Arbor, Mich., have been named Heroes of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, for developing Neurontin®, an anticonvulsant used to treat childhood as well as adult epilepsy.

The Pfizer Inc team will be honored Sept. 7 at the American Chemical Society's 226th national meeting in New York along with chemists from Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Industries and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The Pfizer Inc researchers are Johannes H. Hartenstein, Ph.D., Gerhard Satzinger, Ph.D., and James R. Zeller, Ph.D.

"The broad range of invaluable products that our Heroes of Chemistry have developed and commercialized has dramatically advanced the health, well-being and lifestyles of children around the world," said ACS President Elsa Reichmanis, Ph.D. "The chemical advances made by the honorees serve as testimonials to the valuable role chemists and chemical engineers play in improving lives. It is with pride that the ACS recognizes them as Heroes of Chemistry."

Epilepsy is common in children, with 75 percent of the cases developing before the age of 20. Neurontin® has no reactions with other drugs and this is significant since many children with epilepsy also have other conditions which require medication. The drug controls seizures and, because many children with epilepsy have normal cognition, they can live normal lives when the episodes subside.

The Heroes of Chemistry program will be held in conjunction with a celebration for the 80th anniversary of Chemical & Engineering News, the society's newsmagazine. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, will be the keynote speaker at the joint event. Carson has gained worldwide recognition as the principal surgeon in the separation of the conjoined Binder twins in Germany and, most recently, for his role in the separation of the Bijani twins from Iran.

The Heroes program, started in 1996, honors industrial chemists and chemical engineers who create commercially successful products that improve the quality of life. Each year Heroes of Chemistry are nominated by their own companies to recognize their talent, creativity and innovation within specific segments of the chemistry industry.

This year's Heroes' ceremony will focus on industrial chemists and chemical engineers who are improving children's health and wellness by creating commercial products based on chemistry.

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The Pfizer Inc award winners:

Johannes H. Hartenstein, Ph.D. (retired), was senior director, chemistry, Parke-Davis, Ann Arbor. Mich. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Freiburg, Germany, in 1963.

Gerhard Satzinger, Ph.D., (retired), was director of research and development, Goedecke, Germany. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Erlangen, Germany, in 1957.

James R. Zeller, Ph.D., is senior director, Pfizer Global Research & Development, Holland Laboratories, Holland, Mich. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Wayne State University in 1981.


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