May 3-5, 2006 San Francisco, CA
- 3 Days, 21 Speakers, 120 learners, no commercial exhibitors, 12 Posters presented, 4 Prizes awarded for best research based on merit.
- Learner type: 43% Research Scientists, 36% Clinicians, 4% Educators, 18% Other
- Credit type: ACCME
- This symposium was jointly endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
- Experts from multiple disciplines evaluated the basic underlying genetic, molecular and pathophysiologic mechanisms of the metabolic syndrome/metabolic risks. Sessions focused on the biology of lipid and glucose metabolism, and the challenges of translating scientific knowledge into practical applications in medicine. Biologists presented the human and animal evidence for the molecular mechanisms of metabolic syndrome/ metabolic risk, including insulin action, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. Translational researchers discussed lifestyle interventions and novel therapies.
- 98% of learners reported that the content was free from commercial bias.
- 98% of learners reported that the content was scientifically rigorous.
- 96% of learners reported that they would recommend this program to a colleague.
- 82% of learners felt there was at least one thing they learned at this program which could be applied, in the next six months, that will affect their patient’s healthcare outcomes.
- The Grand Prize Poster was titled: “Cardiorespiratory Fitness is Associated with Smaller Increases in Visceral Fat with Weight Gain in Humans”
- Objectives of the course were to:
- Understand the underlying molecular pathophysiology of metabolic risks and the metabolic syndrome.
- Discuss the controversial nature of these definitions.
- Identify the cluster of components involved in determining metabolic risks and the metabolic syndrome.
- Appreciate mechanisms of lifestyle and pharmacologic approaches to managing metabolic risks and the metabolic syndrome.
- Selected learner comments included:
“Extremely informative and well organized. Accurate representation of syllabus.”
“Just an excellent program with good speakers - would recommend it highly!”
“Great speakers (overall). A serious look at a serious problem.”
“Perfect educational value / length ratio”
“Well organized, high quality presentations.”
“Strong basic science.”
“Good speakers, lively discussion.”
“New ideas and good science and good speakers.”
“Rigorous, clinically relevant, excellent presentations / faculty / facilities.”
- Selected comments about the speakers included:
“Very interesting lecture - much better understanding of how to think about risk factors.”
“Beautiful - very clear talk.”
“Fascinating.”
“Beautiful work.”
“Excellent presentation - very clear and pulled together.”
“Exceptional - very clear talk.”
“Provocative and informative.”
“Outstanding talk.”
Disclosure of Faculty Relationships
BioSymposia, Inc. (formerly Serono Symposia International, Inc.), adheres to guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCCCA), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and all other professional organizations as applicable, stating that programs where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous.
As uses for pharmaceutical agents, medical devices, and other products may be presented in the program that are not necessarily the same as those indicated in approved product labeling (but which may reflect clinical experience, professional literature, other clinical sources known to the presenter, or investigational uses of products), we ask the presenter to provide participants with information about relationships with pharmaceutical or medical equipment companies that may have relevance to their lectures. This policy is not intended to exclude faculty who have relationships with such companies; it is simply intended to inform participants of any potential conflicts so that participants may form their own judgments based on full disclosure of the facts. Further, these opinions and recommendations presented during the program or materials related to the program do not imply an endorsement or recommendation on the part of BioSymposia, Inc. These presentations solely represent the independent views of the presenters/authors.
The following faculty provided information regarding significant commercial relationships and/or discussions of investigational or non-FDA approved (off-label) uses of drugs:
Jean-Pierre Despres, Ph.D., F.A.H.A. discloses that he is the recipient of honoraria or consultation fees from Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Fournier Pharma Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, MDS, Pfizer Canada Inc., Pharmacia Corporation, Roche Pharma, and Sanofi-Aventis. He also discloses that his laboratory is the recipient of research grants from some of the above companies and also from the Canadian Diabetes Association, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Alan M. Fogelman, M.D. discloses that he is principle officer of Bruin Pharma.
Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D. discloses that he is Chairman of the GlaxoSmithKline Research and Education Foundation for Cardiovascular Disease, he is consultant and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Vasogen, Inc. and he is consultant and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Kereos, Inc.
Scott M. Grundy, M.D., Ph.D. discloses that in the past five years, he has been an investigator on research grants awarded to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern), Dallas, Texas for the study of statins (Merck), fenofibrate (Abbott), and nicotinic acid (Kos). In addition, during this period, Dr. Grundy has given UT Southwestern-approved lectures to health professionals on cholesterol management in which cholesterol-lowering drugs are discussed and for which he received honoraria that were funded by the following companies: Merck (statins), Pfizer (statins), Sankyo (colesevelam), Schering Plough (ezetimibe), Kos (nicotinic acid), Abbott (fenofibrate), Bristol-Myers Squibb (statins) and AstraZeneca (statins). Also, Dr. Grundy has consultant agreements to serve on scientific advisory boards of Pfizer, Sanofi, and AstraZeneca.
Willa Hsueh, M.D. discloses that she is a member of speaker’s bureaus and advisory boards, and is the recipient of research grants and contracts with the following companies: GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Merck, and Wyeth.
Steven E. Kahn, M.B., Ch.B. discloses that he is a consultant for and the recipient of research grants from GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis. He also discloses that he consults for Merck.
Ronald M. Krauss, M.D. discloses that he consults for Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, and Pfizer. He discloses that is a member of a speaker’s bureau for Abbott Laboratories, Kos Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Merck Schering-Plough, and Pfizer. He discloses that he is a member of an advisory board for Abbott Laboratories and Bristol-Myers Squibb. He also discloses that he is the recipient of research grants from King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck, Merck Schering Plough, and Pfizer.
Jane E. B. Reusch, M.D. discloses that she is the recipient of investigator-initiated grant support from Merck, Takeda, and GlaxoSmithKline. She also discloses that she participates in clinical trials for Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Takeda, Merck, and Aventis. She discloses that she is a member of a speaker’s bureau for Aventis and GlaxoSmithKline, and consults for Takeda.
The following faculty indicated no significant relationship with commercial supporters and/or discussion of investigational or non-FDA approved (off-label) uses of drugs:
Stephen L. Aronoff, M.D., Michael P. Czech, Ph.D., Robert Eckel, M.D., David M. Eddy, M.D., Ph.D., Diane T. Finegood, Ph.D., Anthony Heagerty, M.B., Ch. B., M.D., Gökhan Hotamisligil, M.D., Ph.D., Richard Kahn, Ph.D., Frank Hu, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., James B. Meigs, M.D., M.P.H., Elizabeth J. Parks, Ph.D., Mary Elizabeth Patti, M.D., Gerald M. Reaven, M.D., Robert A. Rizza, M.D., Neil Ruderman, M.D., D. Phil., Michael W. Schwatz, M.D., and John S. Yudkin, M.D.
Commercial Support and Other Disclosures
BioSymposia, Inc. (formerly Serono Symposia International, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All of our programs are organized solely to promote the exchange and dissemination of scientific and medical information. No forms of promotional activities are permitted. There may be presentations discussing investigational uses of various products. These views are the responsibility of the named speakers, and do not represent an endorsement or recommendation on the part of BioSymposia, Inc.
This program was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Serono, Inc. BioSymposia, Inc. personnel are employees of Serono, Inc. and BioSymposia, Inc. also receives other in-kind support from Serono, Inc. in the form of space and administrative services.
