Texas Governor Joins Forces to Fight Cancer

 Recently, Governor Rick Perry applauded the efforts of a major joint cancer research initiative, which includes Texas A&M System's National Center for Therapeutic Manufacturing (NCTM) and the University of Texas System's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.  The goal is to combine the resources of each institution to advance cancer research in Texas.

“With this new collaboration, the NCTM will accelerate the work of M.D. Anderson’s world class researchers by giving them access to an adaptable and efficient facility for the testing and production of promising new drugs and treatments,” Gov. Perry said. “The facility is already enhancing our state’s growing stature in the world of biotechnology, moving us closer to our goal of Texas being the place where researchers can conceive, develop, test and enter full production on new medicines without ever leaving the state.”

Texas A&M University System Chancellor Mike McKinney and University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa joined Perry in the announcement.

According to the Office of the Governor, NCTM, a biological pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and education facility, is currently under construction on the Texas A&M University campus.  The facility will provide rapid, cost-effective, FDA-compliant and scalable pharmaceutical manufacturing that will allow an array of new products to enter clinical trials, initially focusing on therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer.

“This partnership exemplifies the clear commitment of both systems to utilizing our research and educational resources to the fullest in service to our global community,” Texas A&M System Chancellor Dr. Mike McKinney said. “M.D. Anderson and the NCTM are and will be the standard-setters in their research areas, and combining the capabilities of these two institutions has the real potential to radically advance the search for a cancer solution in this generation.”

“This is a wonderful day for Texas and for global health,” said UT System Chancellor Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa.  “We are celebrating the collaboration of two great university systems, joined in battle against one of the most feared diseases of our time, and with this connection, we mark the potential for new victories over this old enemy.  We also reflect on the power of human intelligence and higher education to overcome obstacles and chart new paths for medicine and our economy.”  


For more information about the NCTM, click here.