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- Posted Friday February 5, 2010
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) finalizes alliance with Van Andel Research Institute (VARI)
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) today
announced the completion of a strategic alliance and affiliation
agreement with the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) that will
maximize the research capabilities of both non-profit
institutes.
TGen expects the agreement to create a robust
basic-science-to-translational delivery platform aimed at
developing new tests and treatments for patient benefit.
"We are excited to align with a prominent institute like Van Andel,
a partnership that I fully expect to yield greater scientific and
economic returns for both Arizona and Michigan," said Dr. Jeffrey
Trent, TGen's President and Research Director, a title he also now
holds at VARI.
TGen remains an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) non-profit biomedical
research organization, headquartered in Phoenix with an
Arizona-centric board. VARI, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will
be the organization's sole member.
Since making an initial alliance announcement in February 2009,
TGen worked with key Arizona partners to ratify any needed changes
to funding or research agreements, including the Flinn Foundation,
the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the Arizona Board of
Regents, a number of the Valley's health care providers, and the
State of Arizona.
"As one can imagine with a process of this scope, there were a
number of technical and legal points to address," Dr. Trent said.
"I can't thank our Arizona-based partners and members of our Board
of Directors enough for their willingness to see the process
through to completion. It was gratifying that the leadership of all
organizations we worked with fully saw the long-term scientific and
medical benefit the alliance and affiliation would offer."
TGen's final contract revision, signed January 15, enabled the
Arizona Biomedical Research Commission (ABRC) to continue funding
TGen through state tobacco-tax revenues. The new state contract,
facilitated through ABRC leadership and the Arizona Attorney
General's Office, ensures continued state funding through fiscal
year 2012.
"TGen is critical not only to our ability to find cures to cancer
and other diseases, but also to diversifying Arizona's economy and
helping our state attract high-wage, cutting-edge, bioscience jobs.
I am pleased that my office helped bring the parties together to
secure TGen's future in Arizona," said Attorney General Terry
Goddard.
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. There are over
250 scientists and staff in 18 laboratories who study the genetic,
cellular and molecular origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other
diseases. VARI recently opened a 240,000 square-foot building
expansion in downtown Grand Rapids, which will allow it to broaden
its efforts to include additional neurological disorders and
chronic illnesses.
"This agreement provides TGen and VARI a research platform from
which to tackle many of today's leading diseases with greater
strength of resources, and as important, redefines collaboration in
a way that should enhance the biomedical sectors and provide
economic benefit to both Arizona and Michigan," said David Van
Andel, VARI Chairman and CEO.
Economic Benefit
The TGen-VARI alliance already has yielded significant benefits for
Arizona by helping TGen secure a number of grants from the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA). TGen's 12 ARRA grants total $18.9 million.
Based on U.S. Department of Commerce economic models, TGen's
economic-stimulus funding could result in as much as $41.9 million
in new business activity.
The economic impact includes projects at TGen's headquarters in
Phoenix, its operations in Scottsdale and Flagstaff, its partners
at Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern
Arizona University, as well as collaborating research institutes
and universities across the U.S., including VARI.
"Considering that - according to NIH Director Francis Collins -
only 2-3 percent of the more than 22,000 submitted applications
were funded, TGen has been extremely competitive in securing grants
that will help create jobs, advance medical science and provide new
treatments for patients with cancer and other serious diseases here
in Arizona and beyond," Dr. Trent said. "Having TGen's research
recognized after external review as among the top few percent of
all applications says a lot about our outstanding physicians and
researchers."
According to TGen Physician-in-Chief Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen's
success in securing stimulus and other grant funding is evidence
that the institute can succeed in a tremendously competitive
environment for research and clinical funding. It's a partnership
strategy that helps bring funds to Arizona that otherwise might be
lost to institutions in other states.
"TGen is poised to translate the discoveries generated in
laboratories from both organizations into real solutions for
patients," said Dr. Von Hoff. "This is a terrific opportunity to
work together and increase our chances of making a difference for
our patients."
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based 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 more
information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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