AUSTIN – Statement from CPRIT CEO Wayne Roberts:

On this day ten years ago, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas became a reality. The citizens of Texas voted overwhelmingly to support Proposition 15, the constitutional amendment authorizing the establishment an agency dedicated to funding innovative cancer research, prevention programs and speed the development of new products through public-private agreements.

The vote on November 6, 2007, marked when Texas, like it has done so many times, stepped forward to lead on an important issue impacting many people.

It’s worth reflecting on CPRIT’s benefit to the health of Texans and our state’s economy. More than 3.9 million prevention services have been delivered to Texans in all 254 counties. CPRIT support has led to the recruitment of 149 of the top minds in cancer research and prompted more than $1.36 billion in follow-on investment in our company product development projects. Today, Texas is home to more clinical trials for more types of cancer than at any time in our history.

Ten years ago, state leaders, including many of you, supported the vision of CPRIT. Now we’re seeing the fruits of that vision in the unmatched ecosystem of institutions, health care professionals and life science industry entrepreneurs that is finding cures, developing drugs and treatments and supporting early detection.

Happy 10th! Thanks for your continued devotion to our shared cause.