Chamber members, Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), were granted $5.5 million from Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) for medical research.  

The multi-million-dollar funding fulfills 100 percent of the 81 research grants requested by OUHSC and OMRF during the summer grant cycle.  

OU College of Medicine investigator, Dr. Doris Benbrook will receive a bridge grant, as well as a grant for equipment. Dr. Benbrook recently made headlines with the creation of the new cancer drug, OK-1, at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City’s Innovation District. The cancer drug is currently being tested within humans in a clinical trial for the first time. These trials will now be able to move into their next stage, with the help of the bridge grant funding from PHF. The next stage will test OK-1 alongside other cancer therapies already on the market. 

Dr. Benbrook’s equipment grant will allow her to purchase new technology for analyzing proteins in biopsy samples. 

“We are grateful to Presbyterian Health Foundation for their long-standing support of important research through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center,” said OUHSC Interim Vice President for Research, Dr. Mary Beth Humphrey. 

“This additional funding will allow our scientists to focus their efforts on the next medical breakthroughs that will ultimately improve the lives of Oklahomans and beyond.” 

Read the full story on VeloCityOKC.com.