U-M Medical School scores $63M research grant

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

The University of Michigan Medical School set a new record for research grants, earning $63 million from the National Cancer Institute.

The cash will go toward the Southwest Oncology Group over the next six years to fund cancer treatment research at the clinical research cooperative group, which is based out of the university's medical school. The annual award represents a little more than 20 percent of the group's $48 million annual established budget.

"It lets the group go forward from where it is," says Frank DeSanto, community manager for the Southwest Oncology Group. "It maintains the group's jobs."

The group employs almost 5,000 people at various research centers across North America, and 20 of those in Ann Arbor. Four of the group's executives, including its chairman, are faculty members at U-M.

The group moved its headquarters to Ann Arbor in 2005, bringing 15 jobs with it. Before that it had been headquartered at the Cancer Treatment Resource Center in San Antonio where it part of the University of Texas.

The group designs and conducts large-scale trials of new cancer treatments and prevention regimens. Its network includes more than 500 institutions, including 19 of the National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers.

Source: Frank DeSanto, community manager for the Southwest Oncology Group
Writer: Jon Zemke