Newswise — (TORONTO, Canada – Feb. 27, 2015) – Two internationally acclaimed cancer centres today announced a partnership to accelerate academic and clinical research to advance personalized, targeted therapies against cancer.

The partners – Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona – signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Toronto establishing the principles and framework for their collaboration.

Signing on behalf of the Princess Margaret, Medical Director Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz said: “Our organizations share a common purpose and vision to pool our knowledge, broad spectrum of expertise and commitment to research to promote and disseminate best practices and innovation in cancer care globally.

“This is how we can to provide world-class cancer research and the best possible care to benefit patients well beyond the walls of our individual centres.”

Signing on behalf of VHIO, Director Dr. Josep Tabernero said: “As two leading comprehensive cancer centers, we share several research strengths and synergies.

“VHIO´s cancer science of excellence coupled with the Princess Margaret´s expertise in the realm of cancer care diagnostics and therapeutics will undoubtedly represent an important forward step in advancing cancer research and developing more effective anti-cancer therapies.”

Under terms of the MOU, the two centres will exchange information about patient care and research, and education programs. They will also share information about best practice in clinical research and clinical trials. As well, they will support innovation in cancer education and training programs by encouraging academic collaborations, promoting faculty visits and facilitating exchange visits among students and trainees.

About Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network

The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has achieved an international reputation as a global leader in the fight against cancer and delivering personalized cancer medicine. The Princess Margaret, one of the top five international cancer research centres, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. All are research hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto. For more information, www.theprincessmargaret.ca or www.uhn.ca.

About Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Spain

The Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology is a leading comprehensive cancer center of excellence where its scientists and physicians adopt a purely translational research model, working together as multidisciplinary teams to both accelerate and advance personalized and targeted therapies against cancer.For more information, www.vhio.net Media contact: Jane Finlayson, Public Affairs, (416) 946-2846 [email protected]