Texas Children's Hospital and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced a joint venture where they will make efforts to end childhood cancer.
The new, first-of-its-kind joint venture was approved by the Texas Children's Board of Trustees and the UT System Board of Regents. It will combine the resources and manpower of the country's most extensive comprehensive pediatric system, a top pediatric cancer program, and the nation's leading comprehensive cancer center.
Collaborative Effort Against Childhood Cancer
The president of MD Anderson, Peter WT Pisters, M.D., said that the scope and scale of the two agencies' combined effort will work on building the world's preeminent pediatric cancer center. They would also address the growing need for effective patient care and provide increased access to care and clinical trials.
He added that MD Anderson and Texas Children's Hospital will both offer unique strengths that, when combined, will allow them to accelerate improved outcomes for patients in the state and worldwide, according to PR Newswire.
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The joint venture's planned collaborative operations and patient care are scheduled to launch in early 2026. They will initially focus on new facilities that will offer patients and their families top-of-the-line healing environments using the latest medical technology.
No specifics have been shared about the efforts so far, but the two agencies plan to provide more information in the future. The joint venture by the two agencies is expected to increase pediatric cancer clinical trials and expedite discoveries, enhancing the availability of innovative cancer treatments.
Funding the Joint Venture
An agenda document dated Feb. 29, 2025, revealed that the UT System Board of Regents talked about the authorization of funds for MD Anderson's financial contribution to the joint venture, Biz Journals reported.
Because the discussions for the authorization of the funds were discussed in a closed executive session, the amount was not disclosed to the public. However, the board approved the partnership itself in an open meeting.
The joint venture was also designed to combine pediatric subspecialty care and children's cancer services to kids under one program. It will make use of more than 200 Texas Children's Hospital pediatric oncology specialists from Baylor College of Medicine and more than 100 MD Anderson pediatric clinicians and researchers.
Debra F. Sukin, president and CEO of Texas Children's Hospital, said that the country's top talent will lead the combined efforts of both agencies. This includes clinicians, researchers, nurses, and administrative professionals, as per Community Impact.
