Mead Johnson, IU School Of Medicine Center To Focus On Infant Nutrition And Immune System Research

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 17 Nov 2007 - 10:00 PST

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Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Indiana University School of Medicine announce the development of a Center for Nutrition and Immunity that will focus on research related to infant nutrition and immune system development. The Center will be located at the Indiana University School of Medicine-Evansville located on the campus of the University of Southern Indiana.

Dirk Hondmann, Ph.D., Mead Johnson's vice president for research and development, said that the collaboration with the IU School of Medicine supports the company's vision to help give infants and children the best start in life.

"Mead Johnson's focus has always been science-based nutrition, and the interaction between nutrition and immunity is the next great frontier," said Hondmann. "Ultimately, it's our goal that the research conducted at the Center for Nutrition and Immunity will lead to products with innovative nutritional benefits for infants and children around the world. In addition, we're very pleased to have the opportunity to invest together with Indiana School of Medicine in building a stronger life science infrastructure in Evansville."

Mead Johnson's participation in the project comes in the form of funding for the appointment of a new scientist and technician and to equip the center's research laboratory in Evansville.

Under the leadership of the IUSM-Evansville Assistant Dean and Director Rex D. Stith, Ph.D., the program and its scientists will pursue an academic focus with an awareness of product development applications.

"Exploring the relationship between nutrition and immunity expands our focus in biomedical research, and will position us at the forefront of work being done in this area," Dr. Stith said. "We support the development of products that are based on sound science and which parents and health care professionals consider to be beneficial. We also believe that our collaboration with Mead Johnson in support of this research has helped us attract and recruit researchers with the scientific expertise and interest that this effort requires."

As the nation's second largest medical school and a leading research institution, Indiana University School of Medicine has nine campuses, including eight regional centers throughout the state in addition to the main campus in Indianapolis. IUSM-Evansville, the Southwestern Indiana regional campus, was established in 1971 and is located in the Health Professions Center on its host campus, the University of Southern Indiana. IUSM-Evansville's mission is medical education, biomedical research and advancing health care in the community.

Mead Johnson Nutritionals is a world leader in nutrition, dedicated to helping provide infants and children with the best start in life. Mead Johnson Nutritionals is a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.

Indiana University School of Medicine