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- Posted Wednesday February 11, 2009
Arizonas TGen joins with Michigan's Van Andel Research Institute in alliance promoting worldwide science and health
Affiliation allows both research institutions to maximize
potential
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Feb. 11, 2009 - The Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen) and the Van Andel Research Institute
(VARI) will forge a strategic alliance that will enable both to
maximize their worldwide contributions to science and health.
The non-profit research institutes jointly announced today the
initiation of an "alliance and affiliation agreement."
The partnership between Phoenix, Ariz.-based TGen and Grand
Rapids, Mich.-based VARI will enable both institutes to speed up
their mutual goals of moving research discoveries about cancer and
other debilitating medical conditions as quickly as possible from
laboratories to patient care.
Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen and David Van Andel, VAI
"Combining many of the scientific, educational, financial and
business potentials of TGen and VARI will advance the research of
both institutions and enhance the economic development of both
Arizona and Western Michigan," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, President
and Scientific Director of TGen since its founding in 2002.
"This alliance will elevate both organizations in the world of
scientific research," said Dr. Trent, who will retain his roles at
TGen, but upon implementation of the agreement also will become
President and Research Director of VARI.
VARI is the research arm of the Van Andel Institute (VAI),
established in 1996 as a philanthropic research and educational
organization by the late Jay and Betty Van Andel.
"We are excited to welcome Dr. Trent and TGen as they combine
forces with us in our mission to conquer cancer and human disease,"
said VAI Chairman and CEO David Van Andel. "This alliance
demonstrates that VARI and TGen are at the forefront of redefining
a borderless, collaborative, national and international scientific
community that transcends geographical limitations."
The alliance combines the groundbreaking basic research expertise
of VARI with the cutting-edge translational genomics and analysis
of TGen.
Dr. Trent will replace Dr. George Vande Woude, who in 1998 was
appointed the founding Director of VARI.
"The search for a new director has ended with the best possible
results - a renowned, research director in Dr. Trent, who will now
lead VARI, and an alliance that strengthens two of the nation's
fast-emerging leaders in biomedical research," David Van Andel
said.
Dr. Vande Woude, a member of the prestigious National Academy of
Sciences, will remain at VARI as head of the Laboratory of
Molecular Oncology. Dr. Vande Woude, who held top-level
administrative posts at the National Cancer Institute since the
early 1980's, will be able to achieve a long-held desire to return
to the lab full-time.
"This is a great moment for both Institutions. I have known
Dr.Trent professionally for nearly 20 years and have always admired
him as one of the nation's leading scientists. One of Dr. Trent's
greatest attributes is bringing together researchers from many
disciplines to work on problems that will improve human health,"
Dr. Vande Woude said.
TGen is dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life
changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients
with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and
infectious diseases. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational
research, in which investigators unravel the genetic basis of
complex diseases and medical conditions.
VARI opened its facility in 2000. Its 18 research laboratories are
primarily dedicated to molecular cancer research, but it also
focuses on conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease,
osteoporosis, and heart disease. VARI will open a 240,000
square-foot building expansion this fall, which will allow it to
broaden its efforts to include additional neurological disorders
and chronic illnesses. VARI's primary work has been in basic
research - looking for what occurs to cause disease in individual
cells, and using that information to identify "biomarkers" that can
help predict and diagnose diseases, and lead to the development of
safer, more effective drugs.
"VARI is on the verge of expanding its already strong basic
research programs and implementing further translational research,"
said Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen's Physician-In-Chief and a
world-renowned cancer scientist.
"TGen is poised to translate the discoveries generated in
laboratories from both organizations into real solutions for
patients," said Dr. Von Hoff, who also is Chief Scientific Officer
of TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare. "This
is a terrific opportunity to work together and increase our chances
of making a difference for our patients."
Both TGen and VARI are relatively young organizations that have
triggered regional growth of the life sciences and biomedical
industries in Arizona and Western Michigan.
Both organizations have a strong focus on cancer, collaborations
and expansion locally, nationally and internationally.
The "alliance and affiliation agreement" is expected to become
effective July 1, 2009.
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a
non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking
research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on
helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological
disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. For additional
media resources and more information, visit:
/news/index.cfm?pageid=57&newsid=1404.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
About Van Andel Research Institute
Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel
Institute (VAI) is an independent research and educational
organization based in Grand Rapids, Mich., dedicated to preserving,
enhancing and expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to
achieving excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of
education and the learning process. VARI, the research arm of VAI,
is dedicated to probing the genetic, cellular and molecular origins
of cancer, Parkinson and other diseases and working to translate
those findings into effective therapies. This is accomplished
through the work of over 200 researchers in 18 on-site
laboratories, in laboratories in Singapore and Nanjing, and in
collaborative partnerships that span the globe. For additional
media resources and more information, visit: www.vai.org.
Press Contact:
Joe Gavan
Vice President, Communications
Van Andel Institute
616-234-5390