Singapore: China based Concord Medical Services, a hospital management solution provider has signed a multi-year strategic development agreement with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a cancer research, treatment and education center.

CCM and MD Anderson will collaborate to develop a multidisciplinary cancer care, subspecialized and research-driven oncology program and state-of-art oncology facilities to optimize patient experience and improve cancer care in China and Singapore.

MD Anderson will provide CCM with strategic counsel and programmatic services to support the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary oncology program with emphasis on clinical quality, patient safety, training and education, as well as research and development programs. The agreement, which is the first of its kind for MD Anderson in Asia, will be an exclusive collaboration at CCM's new cancer facilities in Shanghai and Beijing, and the collaboration exclusivity will cover most of the provinces in China, and in Singapore. The organizations will also work collaboratively as CCM develops a new cancer hospital in Guangzhou, China.

In the future, CCM's cancer hospitals in China and Singapore will pursue to qualify for MD Anderson Cancer Network's Associate membership program, a co-branded clinical care, research and delivery partnership, which includes clinical integration with MD Anderson.

"We are very pleased to enter into a comprehensive, exclusive collaboration with MD Anderson," commented Dr Jianyu Yang, chairman and chief executive officer of Concord Medical.

"M.D. Anderson, one of the leading cancer hospitals in the US, represents the highest standard in cancer treatment and diagnosis. We intend to work together with MDACC's clinical and management teams to introduce MDACC's multidisciplinary treatment and other advanced methodologies, treatment regimens, academic achievements as well as advanced technologies for the benefit of patients in China and Singapore. We also intend to cooperate in research related to high incidence oncology diseases in China, as well as provide international training standards to doctors and research personnel." concluded Dr Yang.

"There is a significant gap in the quality of treatment and care to cancer patients between the U.S. and China. Through our collaboration with MD Anderson, Concord Medical will continue to enhance its overall standard of care to cancer patients in China," Dr Yang said.

"Collaboration is vital to realizing our mission of eliminating cancer worldwide. We're pleased to expand our long-standing relationship with Concord Medical and help develop a multidisciplinary, research-driven oncology program," said Dan Fontaine, executive chief of staff, MD Anderson. "Together, we'll work to fight cancer across China and Singapore."