A pharmaceutical company that manufactures drugs to treat myeloma has donated a total of $10 million to the Myeloma Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, UAMS announced today at a press conference attended by several UAMS administrators and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Celgene Corp.’s gift will be divided in half: $5 million will create the Bart Barlogie Center for Molecular Diagnostics and the other $5 million for the Celgene Distinguished Endowed Chair in Molecular Therapeutics.
Barlogie led the UAMS myeloma program from 1989 to 2014. He now focuses on clinical care and research with an emphasis on curing high-risk melanoma. He was succeeded by Dr. Gareth Morgan.
Barlogie has been involved in drug trials with Celgene for several years and is a consultant to the company.
Also in attendance at the announcement were Myeloma Institute Board Chair Carol Ammon, of Wilmington; Myeloma Institute Board Member Stuart Cobb, who spoke about her experience as a Myeloma Institute patient; UAMS Chancellor Dr Dan Rahn, Morgan and Barlogie.