Hartford, Conn., May 15, 2013 -- The fight against cancer in Connecticut is getting a major boost from United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), which has donated $3 million to establish a new endowed professorship at Yale Cancer Center (YCC) in New Haven, Conn.
Dr. Lieping Chen, MD, PhD, will serve as the first United Technologies Corporation Professor in Cancer Research. Dr. Chen is one of the brightest minds in the field, and is well recognized for his breakthrough research leading to promising clinical trials of new cancer drugs that harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
"United Technologies support will enable me to continue to focus my efforts on research into the immune system and to find new and effective ways to use a patient's immune system to attack cancer within their body,” said Lieping Chen, MD, PhD. “I am grateful to the support of UTC and honored to become the first United Technologies Professor in Cancer Research."
“At UTC we’ve seen how innovation has transformed our industries and we believe the same is true in the fight against cancer. Dr. Lieping Chen’s visionary research has shown great promise in the fight against cancer, and we are proud that his ongoing research will be conducted under the United Technologies banner,” said Louis R. Chênevert, Chairman and CEO, United Technologies, and chairman of the YCC Director’s Advisory Board.
"United Technologies Corporation and Yale Cancer Center share the same passion for excellence in research and we're extremely grateful for the partnership we continue to build together. UTC's generous support will have a huge impact on Dr. Chen's ability to achieve innovative research breakthroughs to benefit and treat all cancer patients," said Dr. Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., MD, Director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.
Creation of the endowed professorship is the latest example of United Technologies longstanding support for cancer care and research. In 2008, United Technologies donated $1 million toward construction of the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.
UTC is also a longtime supporter of the American Cancer Society (ACS), and was recognized in 2012 with the ACS’s Excellence in Employee Engagement Award.
To hear Dr. Chen describe his work as United Technologies Corporation Professorship in Cancer Research, please view the Power of Innovation YouTube video.
About Yale Cancer Center
Yale Cancer Center is one of a select network of 41 comprehensive cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute. Bringing together the resources of Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine, its mission encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community outreach and education.
About Smilow Cancer Hospital
Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven is part of Yale-New Haven Hospital and is affiliated with Yale Cancer Center. Smilow Cancer Hospital, the most comprehensive cancer facility in New England, is a 14-story, 500,000-square-foot cancer hospital, which includes: 168 private inpatient rooms, outpatient multidisciplinary treatment centers, 12 operating rooms, infusion suites, diagnostic imaging services, a floor for children with cancer, a specialized women’s cancer center and diagnostic and therapeutic radiology services for children and adults.
About UTC
United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries. For more information, visit the UTC website, connect on LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter: @UTC.