MARKHAM, ON, June 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. (Astellas) today announced a new research collaboration with the Genito Urinary Medical Oncologists of Canada (GUMOC) to provide funding and support for genitourinary cancer research in Canada.
The program will award a total of up to $300,000 over a period of three years and initiate the GUMOC Astellas Research Grant Program to support Canadian investigators in the field of Urologic Oncology. The primary objective of this new grant program is to advance Canadian peer-reviewed research in Genitourinary Oncology, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.
The support of this new grant reflects an ongoing commitment by Astellas to the Canadian Oncology medical community and provides a separate program specifically geared towards researchers in the genitourinary area. The primary focus of the program in its inaugural year will be to support research in prostate and other genitourinary cancers.
"This exciting initiative will help increase scientific knowledge to improve current healthcare practices, but also drive further research that will ultimately translate into novel treatments that could potentially make a significant impact to the lives of patients and the Oncology medical community," said Dr. Dean Ruether, president of GUMOC and Medical Oncologist with Cancer Control Alberta.
"Astellas is pleased to be supporting the GUMOC to develop a program to help advance research in genitourinary cancer that may benefit Canadians," said Michael Tremblay, president, Astellas Pharma Canada. "We look forward to working with the GUMOC in this joint commitment to researching potential new therapies for patients with prostate and other genitourinary cancers."
About the Genito Urinary Medical Oncologists of Canada (GUMOC)
The practice of Genito- urinary medical oncology is a rapidly evolving field with many new and exciting advancements in recent years that are improving patient outcomes and attracting bright, new Canadian trainees and oncologists to the field.
GUMOC's members are dedicated to improving care of patients from across Canada affected by Genito-urinary malignancies, through collaborative efforts to enhance day to day care in all of the organizations centers, and through its education and research initiatives.
About Astellas Pharma Inc.
Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. We focus on Urology, Oncology, Immunology, Nephrology and Neuroscience as its prioritized therapeutic areas while advancing new therapeutic areas and discovery research leveraging new technologies/modalities. We are also exploring to create new values by combining internal capabilities and external expertise in medical/healthcare business. Astellas stays on the forefront of healthcare change and turn innovative science into values for patients. For more information, please visit our website at www.astellas.com/en.
About Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.
Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., headquartered in Markham, ON, is a Canadian affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. In Canada, Astellas has an intense commercial focus on five therapeutic areas – Urology, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Dermatology and Oncology.
For more information about Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., please visit the corporate website: www.astellas.ca
SOURCE Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.
Michelle Reale, Corporate Communications, Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc., (905) 946-5621, [email protected]
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