Transplantation Research Chair
Funded by Partnership with the
Pharmaceutical Firm Sandoz Canada
(Toronto, March 27, 1996) Dr. Thomas Issekutz, Senior Scientist with The
Toronto Hospital Transplantation Research Unit, has been formally appointed
to the MRC/PMAC Health Program Research Chair.
The Chair in Transplantation was established as a result of a $4 million
research and patient management agreement between Sandoz Canada Inc. and
The Toronto Hospital signed last year. The Medical Research Council of Canada
has also provided funding for the Chair, which becomes the Hospital's first
in transplantation.
"The establishment of the transplantation chair in partnership with
Sandoz Canada Inc. and the joint collaboration with the Medical Research
Council will help attract researchers of international stature to Toronto,"
said Dr. Gary Levy, Director of the Multi Organ Transplant Program and the
Transplantation Research Unit. "This partnership is an excellent example
of how we can work with private industry to strengthen research in order
to improve patient care. This is a win-win situation for everyone, but most
of all for our patients."
"We at Sandoz Canada Inc. are proud of our association with The Toronto
Hospital/University of Toronto Multi Organ Transplant Program and are delighted
to assist in the establishment of this chair," said Hans Mader, Managing
Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sandoz Canada Inc. "The establishment
of the research chair reflects the excellent working relationship we've
had with the Hospital and builds upon our previous successes."
Dr. Issekutz has a long and illustrious career in research. He received
his medical degree from Dalhousie University and completed post doctoral
training in Pathology at the University of Toronto, and in immunology at
Harvard University. Dr. Issekutz is also Professor of Medicine at the University
of Toronto.
Dr. Issekutz is devoting his research to the cellular mechanisms of inflammation
as it relates to transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases.
The five-year research agreement between Sandoz Canada Inc. and The Toronto
Hospital also included funding for transplantation research; funding support
for a research fellowship and the establishment of the Sandoz lecture theatre.
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