Greenwich Philanthropist, President of Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) Receives National Recognition for Furthering Cancer Research and Treatment

Barbara and Edward Netter awarded prestigious distinction by the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy

Barbara Netter and her late husband Edward Netter – Greenwich residents and founders of Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) – were awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award by the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) on Thursday, May 22, 2014. The award – presented in Washington, DC before an audience of over 1,700 top scientists and research advocates – honors individuals who have fostered extraordinary progress and enhanced the field of genetic and cellular therapy.

This recognition came during the ASGCT’s 17th annual meeting, lauding the Netters for creating a foundation that has granted nearly $25 million to the brightest cancer researchers and physicians around the globe. Founded in 2001, ACGT has funded research that has saved lives, been heralded by the New York Times, and is forging an auspicious path in the effort to conqueror cancer.

 “It’s an honor to receive this accolade from an organization at the center of our medical community,” said Barbara Netter. “Through the work at ACGT and in the cell and gene therapy realm, I have the rare opportunity to see new and optimistic methods of treating cancer unfold. With fantastic breakthroughs in cancer cell and gene therapy occurring more frequently, the future is bright.”

 The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy is a non-profit professional and medical organization devoted to bolstering awareness and education surrounding gene and cell therapies. The organization was founded in 1996 and features 1,800 members, and publishes the medical journal Molecular Therapy.In addition to offering promise in the war against cancer, cell and gene therapies have the ability to treat cardiovascular, genetic, infectious and neural degenerative disorders. Major advancements have been made in immunotherapy for cancer, and using gene therapy treatments for inherited blindness and immune deficiencies such as SCID and hemophilia.

 “The ASGCT Advisory Council selected Barbara and Edward Netter (posthumously) for this award based on the founding of ACGT and the enormous contributions made to advancing cancer gene therapy research,” stated Terence R. Flotte, MD, Chair, ASGCT Advisory Council.

About Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT)

Established in 2001, ACGT (www.acgtfoundation.org) is the nation’s only not-for-profit exclusively dedicated to cancer cell and gene therapy treatments for all types of cancer. One-hundred percent of contributions go directly to research. ACGT has funded 44 grants in the U.S. and Canada since its founding in 2001 by Barbara Netter and her late husband, Edward, to conduct and accelerate critically needed innovative research for all types of cancer. ACGT’s Scientific Advisory Council is comprised of 16 of the nation’s most distinguished physicians and researchers in cell and gene therapy, who thoroughly review all grants. Since its inception, ACGT has awarded 29 grants to Young Investigators and 15 grants to Clinical Investigators, totaling $24.7 million in funding.  Barbara Netter, as President, together with other members of the Board of Directors, are fully committed to ACGT’s continued support of this research. ACGT is located at 96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, CT 06902. 

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