Colorado State University and Mayo Clinic have signed a multi-year research agreement to collaborate on the development of oncology and infectious disease therapeutics. The objective of the collaboration is to identify research and educational initiatives for vaccinology, oncology and infectious disease therapies. The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ expertise in biomedical research and Mayo's clinical research program and patient care provide the foundation for this innovative partnership.
"The goal of this collaboration is to bring new diagnostic tests specifically related to cancer and infectious diseases to aid us in advancing biomedical research in oncology and to bring potentially new diagnostics and therapeutics to our patients," said Dr. Ronald J. Marler, Associate Director for Research/Research Alliances at Mayo Clinic.
The partnership with Mayo is predicted to expand the pipeline of treatments that have the potential to solve a variety of serious human health problems. The basis for this agreement is CVMBS’s wide range of biomedical research programs, including those based in the Flint Animal Cancer Center. The Animal Cancer Center (ACC) has pioneered numerous surgical, radiation therapy and chemotherapy procedures associated with cancer, and its work has had application for both humans and non-humans.
The College also has a long history and proven track record of safe and innovative research in infectious diseases research, attracting significant federal funding. The University is now home to the federally funded Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, as well as the Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory and Mycobacterium Research Laboratories.
"Our research programs and those at Mayo Clinic will continue to benefit greatly from our collaborative efforts, and in turn enhance life for veterinary and human patients,” said Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean of the College.
