SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Saint John’s Health Center Trustee and philanthropist Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., who developed the first FDA-approved protein nanoparticle treatment for cancer, has received the 2010 Distinguished Medical Science Award from the Friends of the National Library of Medicine for his significant contributions to the research and treatment of diabetes and cancer.
Dr. Soon-Shiong received the award at the 2010 Annual Awards Dinner of the Friends of the National Library on May 11, 2010 in Washington, D.C. The National Medical Library (NLM) is the largest medical library of its kind in the world with a history spanning 175 years. Prior recipients of the Distinction include luminaries such as Bernard Fisher, M.D., a pioneer in the biology and treatment of breast cancer, and Dr. Vincent DeVita, an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of oncology. The award was presented by Dr. Donald Lindberg, the Director of the National Library of Medicine.
“Patrick Soon-Shiong has helped innumerable patients through his science – diabetics through his less invasive treatment of transplanting insulin-producing islet cells, breast cancer patients through Abraxane and thousands of other patients as the sole source of clean Heparin through his company American Pharmaceutical Partners,” said Lou Lazatin, Chief Executive Officer of Saint John’s Health Center and John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI). “Saint John’s and JWCI are proud that he is a dear friend that supports translating scientific findings in a short period of time to the benefit of patients in our community and nation.”
Also honored at the dinner for the Paul G. Rogers Medical Science Award was Dr. Robert Gallo, the co-discoverer of HIV and a major contributor to many breakthroughs in the treatment of HIV-AIDS for the past thirty years. In addition, Dr. Eugene Braunwald of Harvard Medical School was also honored with the Distinguished Health Communications Award, as well as Rita B. Smith, who received the Michael E. DeBakey Medical Librarian Award.
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is the Executive Chairman of Abraxis BioScience (NASDAQ: ABII) and CEO of Abraxis Health, an organization focused on transforming medicine. A pioneer in the research, development, and delivery of transformational medical care and services, Dr. Soon-Shiong has won recognition for many innovations in healthcare, including having performed the world’s first encapsulated islet transplant in a diabetic patient. He developed the first FDA approved protein nanoparticle delivery technology for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and this drug is being developed for lung, melanoma, gastric and pancreatic cancer. He is a co-inventor of over 50 issued U.S. patents, has published more than 100 scientific papers, and is the founder of two publicly traded pharmaceutical companies, American Pharmaceutical Partners and Abraxis Bioscience.
About Saint John’s
Since its founding in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Saint John’s Health Center has been providing the patients and families of Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and ocean communities with breakthrough medicine and inspired healing. Saint John’s provides a spectrum of treatment and diagnostic services with distinguished areas of excellence in oncology, spine, neurosurgery, orthopedics, women’s health, cardiac care and specialized programs such as the internationally acclaimed John Wayne Cancer Institute. For more information, visit www.newstjohns.org.
CONTACT:
Saint John’s Health Center
Greg Harrison
310-829-8010
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KEYWORDS: United States North America California
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Hospitals Research Science
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