On Monday, the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) awarded the 2008 MMRC Center of the Year Award to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Andrzej Jakubowiak, director of the Multiple Myeloma Program at the university.

The award recognizes a MMRC member institution that displays exceptional efforts in the number of clinical trials initiated and the speed in which the trials were opened. Also taken into account is the number of patients enrolled in clinical trials within the Consortium.

Dr. Jakubowiak is at the forefront of multiple myeloma research because of his impressive leadership and his focus on advancing new research ideas and drug development. He is noted for his part in facilitating the first MMRC study testing four FDA-approved drugs in combination to treat multiple myeloma patients.

The award gives a one-year grant to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center to fund a Multiple Myeloma Project Coordinator to assist the clinical trials performed within the MMRC network.

The MMRC is devoted to promoting and facilitating coordination between industry and academic research to further the development of treatment for multiple myeloma patients. For more information about the 2008 MMRC Center of the Year Award, please visit the Business Wire Web site.