$5.5 million in grants awarded to University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Chamber members, Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), were granted $5.5 million from Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) for medical research.
The multi-million-dollar funding fulfills 100 percent of the 81 research grants requested by OUHSC and OMRF during the summer grant cycle.
OU College of Medicine investigator, Dr. Doris Benbrook will receive a bridge grant, as well as a grant for equipment. Dr. Benbrook recently made headlines with the creation of the new cancer drug, OK-1, at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City’s Innovation District. The cancer drug is currently being tested within humans in a clinical trial for the first time. These trials will now be able to move into their next stage, with the help of the bridge grant funding from PHF. The next stage will test OK-1 alongside other cancer therapies already on the market.
OU College of Medicine investigator Dr. Doris Benbrook
Dr. Benbrook’s equipment grant will allow her to purchase new technology for analyzing proteins in biopsy samples.
“We are grateful to Presbyterian Health Foundation for their long-standing support of important research through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center,” said OUHSC Interim Vice President for Research, Dr. Mary Beth Humphrey.
“This additional funding will allow our scientists to focus their efforts on the next medical breakthroughs that will ultimately improve the lives of Oklahomans and beyond.”
The PHF-provided grants will also allow projects in the OU College of Pharmacy and Oklahoma Center for Therapeutic Sciences to push forward.
Dr. Anthony Burgett will further investigate oxysterol-binding protein, which viruses often use to replicate once they have infected a person. Dr. Burgett’s antiviral research is currently being tested with the creation of a drug-like molecule that binds to and blocks oxysterol-binding protein, while alerting other cells to defend against viruses.
The Oklahoma Center for Therapeutic Sciences will purchase new equipment for their facility with the funding provided by PHF to Dr. Matthew Hart. The center provides different fields’ researchers with advanced equipment, software tools, and expertise to help translate basic scientific discoveries into new drug candidates for treatment of human diseases.
“Presbyterian Health Foundation’s funding provides a major boost to biomedical research in Oklahoma City,” said OMRF President Dr. Andrew Weyrich.
“PHF continues to open doors for OMRF scientists in the search for new and better ways to treat disease.”
OMRF will fund research on cancer, heart disease, lupus, genetic mutations associated with hearing loss and neuropathy, autism, and developmental delay through their PHF funding.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation facility
The medical research facility will also fund projects working to identify new targets for medications that prevent loss of brain cells in Parkinson’s patients, and people addicted to methamphetamine; in addition to studies on how a particular type of estrogen may impact the function of cells, and how this estrogen may help reduce Type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease in males.
“Our medical research grants offer opportunities for healthcare discoveries through all stages of the medical research pipeline," said PHF President Rick McCune.
"We fund early investigation through our seed grants, keep laboratories operational so investigators can continue their work through our bridge grants, and fund collaborative discovery through our team science awards, encouraging researchers to work together across disciplines to advance and strengthen their work.”
Including these latest grants, PHF has donated over $205 million, primarily to Oklahoma-based biotechnology and medical research and education organizations since the inception of the foundation in 1985. The foundation puts an emphasis on providing funding for innovative projects taking place within the Oklahoma Health Center campus.
“Our grants help Oklahoma research scientists secure additional funding from national institutions such as National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association,” said PHF Chairman Tom R. Gray, III. “We’re thrilled to see such productive research collaborations happening across the medical campus.”
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Andrew S. Weyrich, PhD.
Oklahoma City has been referred to as an upcoming hub for innovation in the bioscience and biotechnology industries.
OMRF President, Dr. Andrew Weyrich will join OU Health CEO, Dr. Richard Lofgren and OUHSC Senior Vice President and Provost, Dr. Gary Raskob to discuss the advancements being made within Oklahoma City’s Innovation District in a panel on July 19.
“Their [Presbyterian Health Foundation] investments in our labs change the lives of Oklahomans and people everywhere,” Dr. Weyrich said.
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber will also hold an event to address the changes happening in the Innovation District and Convergence development, as well as MAPS 4 projects that will help entrepreneurs. The July 20 Chamber Forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vast, and will feature CEO of Newman Robinson Park, Mark Beffort; President and CEO of Oklahoma City Innovation District, Katy Boren; and Partner at EightTwenty, Sandino Thompson.
Presbyterian Health Foundation will award an additional $3.3 million before the end of the fiscal year, bringing their total for the year to $8.8 million granted.
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