Roswell Park, Research Collaborator Form First-Ever Joint Venture Between U.S. and Cuban Partners

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Cuban research partner have launched the first-ever joint venture between U.S. and Cuban partners. The company's formation was announced last week by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose April 2015 trade mission to Cuba facilitated the partnership between Roswell Park and the Centro de Inmunolgía Molecular (CIM), or Center for Molecular Immunology. This new joint venture, Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance S.A., gives Roswell Park access to unique approaches to treating some of the most deadly and burdensome cancer types both in the U.S. and globally.

"This historic venture with Cuba will provide Roswell Park access to innovative cancer-fighting drugs that could revolutionize treatments and put us one step closer to eliminating the threat of cancer once and for all," Governor Cuomo said. 

"Our goal is to develop these promising cancer therapies as quickly and effectively as possible so that they can benefit the greatest number of U.S. patients," said Roswell Park President and CEO Candace S. Johnson, PhD. 

The new company has access to CIMAvax-EGF and three additional Cuban-developed cancer immunotherapy treatments not previously accessible to U.S. patients or researchers — innovative treatment approaches designed to enhance the body's innate cancer-fighting self-defense system, alone or in combination with other immunotherapies.

"We believe these unique immunotherapies have the potential to change the landscape of cancer treatment, and we are proud to partner with our CIM colleagues to advance development of these therapies as quickly and effectively as possible," said Thomas Schwaab, MD, PhD, Chief of Strategy, Business Development and Outreach at Roswell Park.

The company will seek U.S. FDA approval upon demonstration of successful outcomes in advanced-phase clinical testing for the products at Roswell Park and other U.S. sites.

For more information, please see roswellpark.org/cimavax.

Editor's note: Sources available for onsite media interviews and LIVE point-to-point global transmission via LTN network.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer's grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or [email protected].

Contact: Annie Deck-Miller, Roswell Park
716-845-8593; [email protected]

SOURCE Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

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