Mission & History

The mission of ACGT is to support revolutionary scientific research into the causes, treatment and prevention of all types of cancer using cells and genes as medicine.

Our Commitment

ACGT is committed to building alliances between philanthropic individuals and organizations, and medical and academic institutions, to promote gene therapy research to combat cancer.

To this end, ACGT will identify, fund and monitor innovative research that meets a rigorous set of scientific standards, and has the potential, in the foreseeable future, to treat cancers of all types.

Through this endeavor, ACGT will educate the public about the potential for cancer gene therapy and facilitate greater collaborations among the scientific community to foster the best possible research and ultimately the best treatment.

History

2016	10th Annual Swim Across America benefits ACGT First Oncolytic Therapy approved for Melanoma  50th grantee awarded with ACGT grant – Total grants given surpasses $26 million John Walter joins ACGT as CEO & President  Three Young Investigator Grants awarded ACGT hosts Scientific Symposium and Awards Celebration
2015	9th Annual Swim Across America benefits ACGT $.5 million awarded to two Young Investigators ACGT participates in the Rally for Medical Research  ACGT hosts Innovative Leadership Award Gala in honor of Dr. Savio L.C. Woo ACGT Researchers and Patients featured in HBO and PBS documentaries
2014	8th Annual Swim Across America benefits ACGT ACGT joins Stand Up To Cancer ACGT awards $1.0 million toward cancer research  ACGT participates in the Rally for Medical Research
2013	$1.0 million Awarded to one Investigator and two Young Investigators 1st International Young Investigator grant awarded to Canadian scientist 7th annual Swim Across America raised record-breaking funds Scientists panel in NYC highlighted breakthrough research
2012	One Investigator and one Young Investigator grants awarded 6th Annual Swim Across America benefits ACGT 10th Anniversary New Frontiers honors Edward Netter Dr. Thomas Kipps achieved remission in CLL patients Barbara Netter recipient of YWCA Spirit of Greenwich Award and featured in WSJ Donor of the Day
2011	One Young Investigator grant awarded 5th Annual Swim Across America benefits ACGT Dr. Carl June CLL Breakthrough research: patients in remission Dr. Robert Vonderheide KRAS molecule
2010	$1.5 million awarded to two researchers for Clinical Translation Research RFA for Young Investigators posted; 49 abstracts from 31 institutions submitted and there are 4 finalists Swim Across America 4th Annual Greenwich-Stamford Swim with over 200 swimmers raised over $300,000 to benefit ACGT “Celebrating Progress” Gala Fundraiser in April raises more than $500,000
2009	$250,000 Awarded to one Young Investigator Swim Across America 3rd Annual Greenwich-Stamford Swim with 170 swimmers, raises over $250,000 to benefit ACGT
2008	$1.0 million awarded to 1 researcher for Clinical Translation of Gene Therapy for Ovarian Cancer entitled The Joan Miller and Linda Bernstein Gene Therapy Ovarian Cancer Award. Swim Across America Second Annual Greenwich Swim, with nearly double the swimmers this year, raised more than $200,000 to benefit ACGT RFA for Young Investigators posted; 65 abstracts from 45 institutions submitted and there are 17 finalists with 1 grant awarded
2007	Began offering Clinical Translation of Gene Therapy Investigator Grants; 45 abstracts from 33 institutions submitted; 26 invited to submit complete applications; there are 11 finalists $3.0 million awarded to three researchers for Clinical Translation Research Swim Across America First Annual Greenwich Swim raises $200,000 to benefit ACGT RFA for Young Investigators posted July 2007; 65 abstracts from 46 institutions respond and there are 7 finalists. $1.0 million awarded to two Young Investigators
2006	500 attend ACGT’s Fifth Anniversary Dinner First Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dr. Judah Folkman Swim Across America Selects ACGT to be beneficiary of 2007 Greenwich Inaugural Swim Event ACGT meets the extensive standards of America’s most experienced charity evaluator: the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Offered Gene Therapy for Angiogenesis and Lung Cancer Clinical Translational Investigator Grants $500,000 awarded to one researcher for Leukemia & Lymphoma Cancer Gene Therapy Research $1.0 million awarded to one researcher for Angiogenesis Research in honor of Dr. Judah Folkman $1.0 million awarded to one researcher for Clinical Translation of Gene Therapy for Lung Cancer RFA for Young Investigators posted; 60 applicants from 42 institutions respond and there are 23 finalists $1.6 million awarded to three Young Investigators
2005	RFA posted for Leukemia & Lymphoma Cancer Gene Therapy Research; 24 applicants from 22 institutions respond and there are 12 finalists $3.0 million awarded to three researchers for Leukemia & Lymphoma Cancer Gene Therapy Research RFA for Young Investigators posted; 51 applicants from 39 institutions respond and there are 18 finalists $1.0 million awarded to four Young Investigators
2004	RFA posted for Leukemia & Lymphoma Cancer Gene Therapy Research; 21 applicants from 19 institutions respond and there are 10 finalists $2.0 million awarded to two researchers for Leukemia & Lymphoma Cancer Gene Therapy Research RFA for Young Investigators posted; 49 applicants from 34 institutions respond and there are 22 finalists $1.7 million awarded to four Young Investigators
2003	RFA for Young Investigators posted; 44 applicants from 36 institutions respond and there are 21 finalists ACGT joins American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy $2.5 million awarded to five Young Investigators
2002	First RFA for Young Investigators is posted; there are 45 applicants from 27 institutions and there are 18 finalists $1.5 million awarded to three Young Investigators
2001	Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy incorporated Scientific Advisory Council and Board of Directors established

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, Inc. [ACGT] is a 501 [c] [3] non-profit public charity founded in 2001 by Barbara and Edward Netter to facilitate funding for high-potential research into cell and gene therapies, in the hopes of realizing an effective alternative to the treatment and management of cancer.