As honorary chairman of the Heart-Lung Foundation, Prince Daniel hands out a substantial prize each year to a promising researcher under 40. This week, he presented Prince Daniel’s Research Grant to Alexandru Schiopu, associate professor of cardiology at Lund University and chief physician in internal medicine at Skåne University Hospital in Lund.
The six million kronor (about £528,400) grant will be distributed over three years and was awarded to Schiopu for his groundbreaking work that would improve outcomes for heart attack patients.
Currently, Schiopu is leading a Swedish research study to develop a new treatment to reduce inflammation and damage to the heart following a heart attack. This treatment could “contribute to fewer heart attack patients developing heart failure and dying,” according to the Heart-Lung Foundation.
After presenting the check, Prince Daniel was given the opportunity to hear a presentation about Schiopu’s research.
“The grant gives my research group and me the opportunity to continue our work, with the goal of developing a new drug for our patients within ten years,” Schiopu said. “If we succeed, we will be able to treat myocardial infarction patients when they enter hospital, reduce the damage to the heart and reduce the risk of complications and premature death.”
“The need for research funding in Sweden is great, and the Heart-Lung Foundation wants to promote the regrowth of researchers in the country,” the Foundation said. “By distributing Prince Daniel’s research grants to younger promising researchers, we hope to be able to give Swedish research an ‘extra boost’ at an early stage. It’s about world-class research.”
Prince Daniel has been awarding his research grant since 2013, and the recipient is appointed by the Heart-Lung Foundation’s Research Council, who review the applications based on originality and probable clinical significance.
Founded in 1904, the Heart-Lung Foundation was created during the fight against tuberculosis. Today, the Stockholm-based charity’s vision is “a world free of heart-lung disease” as they raise funds for cardiopulmonary research.
