Cyprus sets sights on the forefront of medical research

A new research center focusing on fighting cancer was inaugurated at the campus of the University of Cyprus earlier this week, aiming to bring together leading scientists working across different areas of biology and medical sciences to develop an internationally competitive program of research on cancer.

The Cyprus Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) will be an important tool in the fight against cancer, hosting teams of scientists, doctors and nurses engaged in research and care for cancer patients. It is a collaboration between the University of Cyprus, the Karaiskakio Foundation, and the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center.

The CCRI’s state-of-the-art Nicola David-Pinedo Building, made possible thanks to the donation of George and Kaity David from their namesake foundation in memory of their daughter Nicola, who passed away from cancer in 2016. The facilities of the institute cover a total area of 3,111 square meters, which includes a garden, created by George David, and a nearby 120-year-old aqueduct that has been preserved and will soon be unveiled.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on May 22, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said the institute “will serve as a milestone for Cyprus and an important nucleus for the development of a national network of research excellence,” showcasing the country as a research center for cancer and patient care, as well as a breeding ground for young scientists, creating bridges of communication and knowledge exchange with other centers abroad.

He also said that the state, recognizing the significance of the center, will promote its institutional support with the aim of maximizing its utilization. To this end, he will consult with the relevant ministries on the best and most substantial means of supporting the center and will make relevant announcements in the near future.

Nikos Christodoulides said the institute ‘will serve as a milestone for Cyprus and an important nucleus for the development of a national network of research excellence’

Margaritis Schinas, vice president of the European Commission, said that the fight against cancer “is a battle that Europe must collectively engage in,” noting that currently only 3% of healthcare spending is allocated at the European level. He also spoke about the actions of the European Commission in the field of health, including the EU Cancer Plan, which aims at a comprehensive approach to cancer in the bloc.

Through the support of the Horizon Europe program, nearly 400 million euros has been invested in cancer-related actions for the period 2021-2023. “The Cyprus Cancer Research Institute is a crucial element in this entire edifice, and for that, I would like to congratulate the Republic of Cyprus and President Christodoulides for the priority they place on investments,” he told the opening ceremony’s attendees. “Here, we inaugurate a pan-European center of excellence, with Cyprus at the heart of this great pan-European endeavor.”

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, a Cypriot national, said in her address that the center will strengthen cancer research “not only in Cyprus but also further within our large European family,” noting that the disease “is at the top of Europe’s priority list,” and citing the EU Cancer Plan. “A plan with unprecedented funding of 4 billion euros, of which more than €2 billion is for cancer research. A plan that brings a series of pioneering, unprecedented actions that span the fields of prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer, but at the same time the quality of life of people with cancer experience,” she said.

“This donation constitutes a selfless act, a generous gesture,” said Constantinos Christofides, the president of the Board of Directors of the CCRI, adding that the new building “marks the beginning of a great endeavor that perhaps should have started many years ago, and today represents a significant step forward.” The CCRI “is an excellent investment for the people of Cyprus,” he continued, and thanked the David family for “their trust, their love for Cyprus, and their confidence that the institute can play a leading role in advancing academic medical research in the country.”

University of Cyprus Rector Tasos Christofides said the donation from the Davids “is a gift of love to the university and love for humanity itself.” Many research teams at the university are already engaged in cancer research and this center now serves as a connecting link among them, he continued. The institute is a testament “to the strength and value of interdisciplinarity, conducting basic and applied research for early diagnosis, treatment, and pain relief.” He also promised the benefactors, donors, friends and supporters of the university that they will live up to their expectations and continue to produce work and contribute to their fellow human beings.

In his own greeting, George David said that he and his wife, Kaity, made the decision to fund the project in the name of their daughter to give hope to those who are fighting cancer every day. “Let’s create an institute that promotes research, focusing on innovation,” he said. He also stated that the CCRI was established with the vision of pioneering and leading in finding innovative answers to the still unanswered questions of the scientific community regarding this disease, and to provide solutions on a practical and human level.

At the end of the event, President Christodoulides unveiled the inauguration plaque.

The CCRI is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors which is responsible for strategic, budgeting and policy matters.

The project represents the first phase of the building infrastructure of the institute, and its design has been entrusted to the architectural firm Kokkinou & Kourkoulas, based in Athens. The project management has been assigned to Diolkos, while the overall supervision of the project is under the responsibility of the Technical Services of the University of Cyprus.