VAI–STAND UP TO CANCER
VAI–STAND UP TO CANCER EPIGENETICS DREAM TEAM, 2014; CURE PARKINSON’S GROUP VISITS VAI, 2018 VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE | 25 YEARS 2014 VAI partners with Stand Up To Cancer and Cure Parkinson’s to catalyze collaboration against cancer and Parkinson’s Teamwork and impact have always been at the heart of VAI’s mission. This ethos is reflected in our two largest collaborations: the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team and the Cure Parkinson’s–Van Andel Institute International Linked Clinical Trials initiative. Established in 2014, the VAI–SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team brings together leading cancer scientists, physicians and organizations to collaborate against cancer. Their goal? To move promising combination therapies for cancer into clinical trials — a vital step on the road to the clinic. The team is co-led by VAI Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones and Director’s Scholar Dr. Stephen B. Baylin, both world leaders in cancer epigenetics research. So far, the team has launched 13 clinical trials that have enrolled more than 500 patients. Cancers and repurposed drugs studied through clinical collaborations Following a formal agreement in 2014, VAI has partnered with Cure Parkinson’s (formerly The Cure Parkinson’s Trust) to support clinical trials of medications developed to treat other diseases that also show potential for slowing or stopping Parkinson’s disease progression — something not possible with current therapies. VAI’s Deputy Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Patrik Brundin chairs iLCT’s Scientific Committee, a group of globally leading experts that annually evaluates medications that may have promise for impeding Parkinson’s and prioritizes them for clinical investigation. As of September 2021, iLCT has launched 28 clinical trials. In all, more than 3,500 people have participated. We are deeply grateful to all those who have participated in these vital trials. Their contributions to our collaborative efforts are bringing us closer to breakthrough therapies that improve the quality of life for millions. Cancers (VAI–SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team) • Metastatic colorectal cancer • Acute myeloid leukemia • High-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) • Low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) • High-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and low blast count AML • High-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) • Non-small cell lung cancer • Bladder (urothelial) cancer • Liver, pancreatic, bile duct, and gallbladder cancers • Triple negative or hormone resistant/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer Repurposed drugs (iLCT), including: • Ambroxol • Deferiprone • EPI-589 • Exenatide • Liraglutide • Lixisenatide • UDCA 36 2014
2014 First Rallying to the Challenge held in conjunction with the Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease symposium This event is a meeting designed for and by people with Parkinson’s, advocates and care partners that delves into how the Parkinson’s community can impact and accelerate research. 2014 External Scientific Advisory Board meets for the first time 2015 Van Andel Institute Purple Community hosts its first annual Purple Community 5K 2015 Winterfest celebrates million fundraising milestone in conjunction with its 10-year anniversary 2015 NexGen Inquiry®, VAI for Education’s web-based science education platform, launches 2015 Drs. Peter A. Jones, Stephen B. Baylin and Stefan Jovinge play key roles in discoveries that were hailed as notable advances of 2015 by Nature Medicine 2015 David Van Andel and Dr. George Vande Woude honored with the Geoffrey Beene Builders of Science Award from Research!America This award recognizes distinguished research advocates who are trailblazers in advancing medical progress to improve the health and economic security of the nation. 2015 A historic day — His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visit VAI On June 2, 2015, VAI celebrated a momentous occasion in its history: welcoming His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to the Institute. While at VAI, the King and Queen met with David Van Andel, chairman and CEO of the Institute, and Carol Van Andel, executive director of the David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation. The group toured a neurodegenerative disease lab and attended a lettersigning ceremony that aimed to foster collaboration in Parkinson’s research. 2014 – 2015 DAVID & CAROL VAN ANDEL WITH HIS MAJESTY KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER & HER MAJESTY QUEEN MÁXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS The Royal Couple’s stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was part of a visit celebrating the strong ties between the Netherlands and the U.S., with a focus on health care and agriculture. In recognition of their visit and that of the Life Sciences and Health Economic Mission of the Netherlands to the U.S., VAI, Spectrum Health and the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted a joint symposium to strengthen ties between the Dutch and American research and medical communities. VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE | 25 YEARS 37
