Menarini brings Nobel Prize-winning scientist to Manila

Nobel prize-winning scientist recently shared his expertise with local cardiologists.

Prof. Louis J. Ignarro spoke during the 44th annual convention of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), which was held at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. His talk was viewed simultaneously via live streaming by PHA members in Baguio, Pampanga, Batangas and Davao.

This is in line with A. Menarini Philippines’ commitment to enhance the quality of cardiovascular disease management in the country.

A distinguished professor of Pharmacology at the UCLA School of Medicine in California, Ignarro received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1998 for his discovery that nitric oxide is produced in the blood vessels and controls the flow of blood by signaling the vessels to expand and contract.

“By causing blood vessels to widen, nitric oxide improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure,” Ignarro said.

With the theme “PHA@60: Strategies, Realities and Networks,” this year’s annual convention coincided with PHA’s 60th anniversary and was aimed at equipping Filipino cardiologists and physicians with the latest updates and innovations in cardiovascular medicine.

PHA president Dr. Saturnino Javier said: “We are honored to have Prof. Ignarro as a speaker in our annual convention. His extensive research on cardiovascular health and discovery of the role of nitric oxide have contributed significantly to the effective treatment of cardiovascular diseases.”

“Prof. Ignarro’s groundbreaking discovery of nitric oxide’s role in cardiovascular health paved the way for the development of effective treatments against hypertension,” said Dr. Dante Morales, Manila Doctors Hospital senior vice president for medical affairs. “Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the country.”

Congratulating the PHA on its 60th anniversary, A. Menarini Philippines general manager Ninia Torres said, “We fully support the association’s noble mission to ensure accessible, affordable and quality cardiovascular care for every Filipino.” A. Menarini Philippines is the local affiliate of Italy’s leading research-based pharmaceutical  company, the Menarini Group.

“Menarini is committed to working with Filipino physicians in reducing the burden of hypertension in the Philippines,” said John Graham,  A. Menarini Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. chief executive officer.

Menarini recently introduced nebivolol in the Philippines. Nebivolol is the only beta blocker known to induce vascular production of nitric oxide. Available in Europe since 1999, nebivolol is indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension, and mild and moderate chronic heart failure in addition to standard therapies in elderly patients.