COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James) has received a $10 million gift from the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation to establish the Riney Family Foundation Myeloma Center for Advanced Research Excellence (Myeloma CARE).
A collaborative effort of the OSUCCC - James Drug Development Institute (DDI) and the Division of Hematology at Ohio State, this new center is focused on accelerating myeloma drug discovery and development projects at the OSUCCC - James. Initial projects will include the creation of a comprehensive, multi-institutional database for categorizing patient samples and correlating de-identified health data for future scientific studies aimed at better understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma.
This new financial support will enable the OSUCCC - James to accelerate drug discovery research to explore potential new treatments using specific molecular targets, including some identified by OSUCCC - James scientists. The gift will be made over the course of two years.
"We are very focused on pushing new therapies from the lab to clinical trials. Our progress may be faster and more impactful by developing methods to share discoveries and collaborate with colleagues at other major centers," says Don Benson, MD, PhD, a professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State, Myeloma Program Director, and member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Research Program at the OSUCCC - James.
"By creating a collaborative research database to house patient samples from our institution and from those of our collaborators, we can all make more meaningful discoveries that reach the bedside faster," says Jeff Patrick, PharmD, director of the DDI. "People with myeloma don't have time to wait -- the future is bright, but there is still much work to do. We are so grateful to the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation for believing in and supporting our mission."
The center will be led by Dr. Benson and will include numerous clinicians and investigators from the OSUCCC - James who specialize in treating multiple myeloma and conducting related research.
Researchers will work closely with staff from the DDI at the OSUCCC - James to advance promising drug targets from the laboratory to clinical testing. The DDI is a biotech-like institute embedded within the OSUCCC - James that employs a combination of targeted investments, strategic management and cutting-edge resources to drive projects from discovery through early-stage drug development, thus creating high-value new drug candidates.
"We are enormously honored to receive the Riney family's generous gift to drive new research discoveries through this outstanding collaboration. The Myeloma Center for Advanced Research Excellence unites our expert researchers from the DDI and the Division of Hematology to accelerate innovative treatments for patients with multiple myeloma," says Harold L. Paz, MD, MS, executive vice president and chancellor for health affairs at The Ohio State University and CEO of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
"As a five-year survivor, my family and I personally understand and are passionate about investing in this scientific research that is absolutely critical for finding less toxic, more effective treatments for people facing this disease. We are honored we have the ability to invest in hope through multiple myeloma research at the OSUCCC - James," says Rodger Riney.
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, president of The Ohio State University, notes the critical need for continued laboratory research to advance discoveries that improve care at the bedside.
"Academic research is critical to modern-day medical advancements, and all treatment breakthroughs have their roots in the laboratory," says Dr. Johnson. "The Riney family's extraordinary commitment to Ohio State's cancer drug discovery and development is an investment in hope for better outcomes and richer futures for patients and their families. Their generosity will improve countless lives for years to come."
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To learn more about patient care and research at the OSUCCC - James, visit cancer.osu.edu or call 614-293-5066.
About the OSUCCC - James
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute strives to create a cancer-free world by integrating scientific research with excellence in education and patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Ohio State is one of 51 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only a few centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs sponsored by the NCI. As the cancer program's 356-bed adult patient-care component, The James is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report and has achieved Magnet® designation, the highest honor an organization can receive for quality patient care and professional nursing practice. With 21 floors and more than 1.1 million square feet, The James is a transformational facility that fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical cancer care. To learn more, visit cancer.osu.edu.