Settlement yields $8M for programs, research to improve women’s health

CARSON CITY — Researchers at Nevada's medical school and University Medical Center in Las Vegas will share $8 million for projects and programs aimed at improving women's health, thanks to a 2014 settlement with a major drug company, the attorney general's office announced Wednesday.

The funding comes from a settlement with Pfizer over unlawful promotion of certain postmenopausal hormone therapy medications, state officials said. Faculty at Nevada's School of Medicine in Las Vegas and Reno will receive $3.8 million over a five-year period. The remaining funds will go to the hospital.

"Settlements like this one afford our state the opportunity to support academic and medical programs aimed at improving women's health," Attorney General Adam Laxalt said in a statement. "I am excited to see how our state's understanding and treatment of these issues will be enhanced with these funds."

Medical school faculty submitted proposals for grant funding, and six projects were approved. Three faculty members are in the pharmacology department: Iain Buxton, Heather Burkin and Ruben Dagda.

Buxton, chairman of the pharmacology department, purchased a super-resolution microscope, allowing scientists to study subcellular structures. It is the first microscope of its kind in Nevada and will assist in Buxton's research involving breast cancer and premature births.

Burkin will test her hypothesis that certain proteins may regulate uterine contractions, affecting birth timing.

Dagda plans to study possible connections between Alzheimer's disease in women and the increase of hormone levels from use of estrogen-based hormone therapy.

Dr. Dan Spogen, chairman of the family and community medicine department in Reno, proposes to develop patient applications to help reduce confusion over when screening tests are needed.

Dr. Vani Dandolu, obstetrics and gynecology chairwoman, is establishing a Women's Heart Center to coordinate transitional care for women hospitalized with heart disease and to identify women with high-risk factors.

Dr. Elissa Palmer, family medicine chairwoman in Las Vegas, wants to develop a preventative care program for women with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

University Medical Center is in the process of submitting grant proposals for its share of funding, officials said.

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb.