Dallmeie supports José Carreras Centre

Regensburg, Germany

In late September, Minister of State Dr Wolfgang Heubisch and star tenor José Carreras himself inaugurated the José Carreras Centre for somatic cell therapy at the Regensburg University Hospital. The centre is designated to become a driving force in the development of new immunotherapies which are meant to give new hope to cancer patients. José Carreras knows what the disease is like as he himself developed leukaemia in 1987, but thanks to stem cell therapy he was cured and survived. He has since been pursuing one goal which he sums up by stating: "Leukaemia must become curable. In every single case." Over the past few years, the trust he founded to fight the disease has invested more than three million Euros in research conducted in Regensburg. The José Carreras Centre alone has been supported with one and a quarter million Euros. Professor Reinhard Andreesen, the medical superintendent of haematology and internistic oncology, is justifiably proud of the new facilities; "Having this facility means that Regensburg is now home to one of the most advanced clean room laboratories in the world."

The university hospital thanked the star tenor by making him an honorary senator, which is the highest honour a university can bestow. José Carreras is only the fourth person to have received this distinction in the university's forty year history.

Whether it is used for the diagnosis or therapy of diseases, there is almost no area of medicine left today that could do without light. That is why an extraordinary light concept was designed in order to make visible from further distances what is developed in the clean room laboratories of the José Carreras Centre to cure patients. The illumination symbolises the nationwide significance and charisma of the centre and represents the innovations that scientists there turn into modern cell medication. The various accents of colour stand for the manifold areas of application for cell medication.

Light symbolises hope; hope and strength that patients need to win their battles against illnesses. The José Carreras Centre will, in the true sense of the word, be a beacon of science.

The light concept was financed exclusively through sponsoring and Dallmeier made a significant contribution. Dieter Dallmeier explains his decision to support the project: "At the José Carreras Centre state-of-the-art technology is used to conduct research into cures for an insidious illness. I am delighted to be able to support that outstanding project. Besides, the project once again demonstrates the major importance of Regensburg as a location characterised by innovative and technological leadership."