Alkermes Expands Awards Program With Focus on Advancing Research in Schizophrenia

-- The Second Annual ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS (SM) Program Will Provide Funding for Up To Eight Research Projects With Individual Grant Amounts of Up To $100,000 per Project --

-- Applications Open for Submission Now Through July 31, 2019 -- 

DUBLIN, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) today announced the next evolution of the ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS^SM program, an initiative designed to support the next generation of researchers who are working on the front lines to advance understanding and awareness of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The program will continue to support projects focused on helping those living with substance use disorders (SUDs) and is expanding to include projects dedicated to helping people living with schizophrenia. The current application cycle will run through July 31, 2019.

"The Pathways program exemplifies our company's commitment to helping researchers find unique and meaningful ways to impact the people and communities we serve with our medicines," said Craig Hopkinson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Medicines Development and Medical Affairs at Alkermes. "We are optimistic that expanding the program to include projects supporting schizophrenia will bring additional innovation and advances in research to this scientific and clinical community."

Now open to early-career investigators committed to advancing research in SUDs and/or schizophrenia, the second annual Pathways program grants will provide funding for up to eight research projects with individual grant amounts of up to $100,000 per project. Alkermes has reserved four awards for research focused on SUDs and four awards for research focused on schizophrenia.

"The Pathways grant that I received last year allowed me to jumpstart my research project and career in a way that otherwise might not have been possible," said Derek Blevins, M.D., Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute and inaugural Alkermes Pathways award grantee. "Alkermes investing in young scientists like me to bring research projects to fruition really demonstrates the company's commitment to building a better future for people living with debilitating CNS disorders."

To qualify, early-career investigators must be M.D.s, Ph.D.s or equivalent, who are within five years of their initial academic appointment or are currently post-doctoral fellows, and who are affiliated with a medical or research center within the United States. Full eligibility criteria are available on the program website here. 

About Alkermes plc
Alkermes plc is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The company has a diversified commercial product portfolio and a substantial clinical pipeline of product candidates for chronic diseases that include schizophrenia, depression, addiction, multiple sclerosis and oncology. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes' website at www.alkermes.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the expected timing, operation and potential impact of, and awards of funding by, the ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS^SM program, and the nature of the research to be supported by such funding. The company cautions that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although the company believes that such statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, the forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and they are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk. Actual performance and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, changes in funding, timing or parameters of the ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS program, the nature of any findings or results arising from the research supported by the program and those risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 and in subsequent filings made by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS^SM is a service mark of Alkermes, Inc.

Alkermes Contacts:
For Investors:  Sandy Coombs,    +1 781 609 6377
For Media:      Sherry Feldberg,    +1 781 609 6276

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SOURCE Alkermes plc