Under the 10-year pact, both sides will jointly promote education in biology. Related initiatives include establishing the Tang Prize Lecture at which TP biopharmaceutical science award winners will share their latest research results.
The agreement was concluded by TPF Chief Executive Office Chern Jenn-chuan and EB Management Committee Chairman Shawn Boynes in Boston. Also attending the ceremony was Taiwan physiologist Shu Chien, winner of the U.S. National Medal of Science in 2011, as well as Martin Frank from the American Physiological Society on behalf of EB’s Executive Officers Advisory Committee.
In addition, U.S. immunologist James P. Allison delivered the inaugural TPL speech “Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer Therapy: New Insights and Opportunities.”
“As a young and internationally minded organization, we are confident this tie-up will help establish a platform propelling local researchers onto the international stage and facilitating more global interactions,” Chern said. “This initiative also exemplifies the spirit of the Tang Prize, which seeks to benefit humanity by tackling new challenges and finding solutions.”
The biennial Tang Prize, hailed as Asia’s Nobel Prize, was established by Taiwan entrepreneur Samuel Yin in December 2012 and selected its five first-up winners in September 2014. Its name is inspired by the Tang dynasty (618-907), a period marking the peak of international exchanges in ancient Chinese civilization.
In addition, Chern said the prize, comprising biopharmaceutical science, rule of law, Sinology and sustainable development, reflects the mature development of Taiwan and its desire to contribute further to the international community.
Echoing Chern’s remarks, Chien said although Western countries have spearheaded scientific research efforts for years, it is now time for the East and West to work together for the greater good.
“I am confident the prize, as well as the many projects it conducts with foreign counterparts, will pave the way toward a better future.” (DF-JSM)
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