Pfizer, J&J subsidiary, charity group launch Alzheimer's Challenge 2012

NEW YORK — Pfizer is partnering with a division of Johnson & Johnson and a charity organization to launch an initiative to award funding to projects designed to improve the diagnostic identification and tracking of Alzheimer's disease.

The drug maker said it would work with Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, its partner on the Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program, and a subsidiary of J&J and the Geoffrey Beene Gives Back Alzheimer Initiative to introduce the Alzheimer's Challenge 2012 at the Care Innovations Summit in Washington.

The initiative also will support the Department of Health and Human Services' call to harness new thinking to deliver better care and better health at lower cost and provide a way to find new ways of thinking and approaches to improve care for people with the disease.

The initiative includes awards totaling $300,000, incorporating $25,000 to five finalists and $175,000 to one winner of the challenge.

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