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Hong Kong-based Hutchison Group Makes Major Gift to Support Hepatitis Research |
Hutchison Whampoa Limited, a large conglomerate
listed in Hong Kong, has committed up to US$4 million to establish
a program dedicated to hepatitis research at Stanford University Medical
Center. The Hutchison Group Program in Translational Medicine will
support studies aimed at improving the health of patients with hepatitis
through the translation of scientific breakthroughs, including those
in genetic research, into novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
The Hutchison Group gift to Stanford will fund the research initiative
over four years, with the second two years of funding contingent upon
review of the progress of the program. The Group has also committed
US$1 million over four years to support the work of Thomas A. Raffin,
M.D., professor and chief of the Division of Critical Care Medicine,
co-director of Stanford's Center for Biomedical Ethics, and co-chair
of the Hepatitis Research Selection Committee.
Hutchison Whampoa, headed by the influential Hong Kong businessman
and philanthropist, Li Ka-shing, is one of Hong Kong's largest groups
with more than 54,000 employees and major investments and operations
in over 20 countries worldwide. The Group's core businesses include
telecommunications and media, property development and investment
holdings, ports, infrastructure, energy and oil, and retail and manufacturing.
Mr. Li and the Hutchison Group have been strong supporters of projects
which benefit education and medical care in Hong Kong, China, and
overseas. Chairman Li Ka-shing said, "Stanford is a leader in the
biomedical field, and we are pleased to have this opportunity to work
with Stanford on this important project which holds such great promise
in an area of major health concern."
Eugene A. Bauer, M.D., vice president for Medical Affairs and dean
of Stanford University School of Medicine said, "This is an extraordinary
gift. It represents the first time that a private sector philanthropic
partner has joined with the medical center to launch a program of
this magnitude devoted to translational research. This program has
significant potential to generate important scientific results to
benefit hepatitis patients worldwide. We are very grateful for Mr.
Li's vision in initiating this program."
Translational medicine is the transformation of laboratory findings
into new ways to diagnose and treat patients. It is a hallmark of
university-based medical centers such as Stanford.
The Hutchison Group Program in Translational Medicine will provide
funding for major research related to hepatitis. Teams of faculty
including basic scientists, clinical investigators, and clinicians
will be encouraged to submit competitive proposals for funding. Winning
proposal(s) will be chosen by a 15-member selection committee based
on the potential to produce an important medical breakthrough.
"The project(s) will be selected based on application of the most
advanced molecular and genetic technologies and the potential to produce
rapid results and benefit mankind," said Dr. Raffin, who serves as
co-chair of the selection committee.
The Hutchison Group Program in Translational Medicine will support
research programs with the potential to improve the health of millions
of people around the world: more than 300 million people worldwide
are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, and millions
more are infected with other forms of hepatitis. Hepatitis is the
most common cause of liver cancer. In parts of the world where hepatitis
is a major health problem, including Southeast Asia, China, and Africa,
liver cancer accounts for up to 50 percent of all cancer cases. Currently,
vaccines exits only for some forms of hepatitis, and most available
treatments are not universally effective.
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