Wilmington, DE — High-throughput screening technology that drives the discovery of more effective drug therapies is contributing to significant new progress in the treatment of childhood cancers. Recently, a prime example of the growing contributions of high tech robotic equipment was unveiled as philanthropists, health professionals, researchers, and families of children with cancer convened at the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research (NCCCR) for the grand opening of the new High-Throughput Screening Laboratory, which includes equipment purchased through a $250,000 gift from The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. NCCCR supports the pediatric cancer program at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and throughout Nemours.

“Exciting work is being done to apply the power of robotic equipment to finding better therapies for childhood cancers,” said A. K. Rajasekaran, PhD, Director of NCCCR, one of just a few pediatric facilities using the devices. The new equipment allows very rapid screening of hundreds of thousands of chemical compounds to find potential therapeutic matches that block the effects of cancer-causing proteins. What used to take months will now take hours. “The grand opening ceremony afforded us the opportunity to showcase next-generation research and thank the B+ Foundation for its tremendous support as we continue to battle pediatric cancer,” he said.

Joe McDonough, President of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, unveiled the plaque that will be installed in the lab to commemorate the donation made in honor of Andrew. McDonough lost his son in 2007. “It was not the cancer but the treatment and subsequent infection that ultimately caused Andrew’s death,” McDonough said. “The foundation’s goal is to support research that will contribute to better therapies, less suffering and better outcomes for kids.” Through fundraising efforts, B+ raised $250,000 for the purchase of the robotic equipment.