New research chair in endothelial cell biology to accelerate development of innovative therapies

Vancouver, BC – The Centre for Blood Research (CBR) and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia have announced the establishment of the CSL Behring – Canada Research Chair in Endothelial Cell Biology. Over the next five years, the CBR and CSL Behring Canada, the biopharmaceutical company co-funding the chair program, will collaborate on the research and development of new therapies for patients with bleeding and immune system disorders.

The CSL Behring – Canada Research Chair in Endothelial Cell Biology, a professorship created through the Canada Research Chairs program, will be held by the newly appointed director of the CBR, physician-scientist Edward Conway, MD, PhD, MBA.

“The Canada Research Chairs program brings together the unique skills of both industry and academia,” said Dr Conway, director of the Centre for Blood Research and professor of medicine in the division of hematology, Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. “Through our combined efforts, we intend to promote first-class education, training, and research for the management of bleeding and immune system disorders, all of which will accelerate delivery of new discoveries in these fields in Canada and throughout the world.”

Dr Conway trained as a hematologist-oncologist at the University of Toronto and at Harvard University and has been a staff physician-scientist in Toronto and more recently at the University of Leuven in Belgium, where he received his PhD. His scientific interests involve studies of the vasculoprotective properties of the endothelium and its interactions with multiple biological systems. he has wide expertise in the fields of coagulation, vascular biology, angiogenesis, inflammation, and innate immunity.

“CSL Behring Canada is proud to partner with the University of British Columbia to establish this scientifically important chair,” said Dr Heinz Neuhaus, general manager, CSL Behring Canada. “The CBR goals align with CSL Behring’s mission to develop safe and effective therapies that improve the lives of patients with rare and serious diseases, and we look forward to a productive collaboration.”