BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Oct. 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Private Funding, Inc. (Global), a private equity lender announced today the induction of their Chairman & CEO Sam Francis Senev by the City of Hope Board of Governors. Global specializes in economic development through localized projects that create jobs. Global's projects are often the focus of EB-5 foreign investments and include healthcare, hospitality, education and technology sectors.
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"We are very proud of this honor" said Hamlet Betsarghez, an investor of Global.
The City of Hope Board of Governors provides targeted funding for specific research to secure specific results. In 2003 & 2009, a grant enabled Dr. Michael Jensen and Dr. Andrew Raubitschek to prove their theory of reprogramming T-cells to attack glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The project is now headed by Dr. Stephen Forman.
In 2006, Dr. Hua Yu discovered that STAT3, a protein, that is dormant in normal cells, but active in cancer cells. By de-activating STAT3, Dr. Yu found that the tumor cells die and surrounding immune cells regain their ability to fight cancer. The Board of Governors grant enabled Dr. Yu to apply for and receive numerous major grants from the National Institute of Health, and others.
Currently for 2013, the Board of Governors grant matched a private grant from a board member to Dr John Yim who discovered a compound, Baicalein, which activates a protein that causes cancer cells to kill themselves. His therapy containing Baicalein can be combined with chemotherapy to shrink tumors even further, while perhaps lessening the toxicity of the chemotherapy.
Now and into the future, (2013/2014), to support Dr. John Burnett who heads up HIV/AIDS Laboratory, a grant will secure QX100 Droplet Digital PCR System that measures the level of cancer markers and to test new therapeutics which may reduce the levels of those cancer cells. The system will also be used to develop new anti-cancer agents currently under investigation for Pancreatic Cancer, B-cell Lymphoma and T-cell Leukemia as well as HIV/AIDS. Dr Burnett is preparing a patent application for the new developments.
Senev, who has invested in several breakthroughs and has himself received stem cell therapy, is an avid supporter of medical innovation. His medical investments and involvements range from IPAs, wellness centers, hospitals, long term care facilities to medical equipment. His scientific expertise combined with financial resources enhances the board's capabilities. Senev was nominated by Board of Governors member Robert Staats.
"Being a member of the City of Hope Board of Governors is an honor only bestowed to those who are beacons and icons in their own industries and is ONLY by invitation" said Robert S. Marx, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Governors. Mr. Marx added that the Board of Governors has to date granted over 30 million to support cancer research.
