In a landmark Taiwan–U.S. medical collaboration, Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taipei VGH) President Dr. Wei-Ming Chen led a delegation to visit NYU Langone Health, where both institutions signed a formal research agreement with a focus on pancreatic cancer treatment. The collaboration will prioritize heavy ion therapy, patient referral, and sharing of research outcomes.

This agreement marks NYU Langone Health’s first—and only—formal overseas research partnership. Dr. Chen was joined by Taipei VGH Vice President Dr. Wui-Chiang Lee and Director of the Heavy Ion Therapy Department Dr. Keng-Li Lan in the August 11 visit. They were received by Dr. Robert I. Grossman, current CEO and Dean, and Dr. Alec Kimmelman, who will assume both roles on September 1. Both leaders had previously visited Taipei VGH in March.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Chen and Dr. Kimmelman formalized the partnership, designating pancreatic cancer as the priority area. “Taipei VGH will continue to uphold the spirit of excellence and innovation, working hand-in-hand with international partners to advance world-class cancer care and research, and to reach new heights in global healthcare,” said Dr. Chen.

During his 18-year tenure, Dr. Grossman has transformed NYU Langone Health from a regional hospital into one of the top integrated academic medical systems in the U.S., now encompassing seven inpatient facilities, more than 320 outpatient locations, two tuition-free medical schools, and a vast research infrastructure. Dr. Kimmelman, a leading radiation oncology expert, will officially succeed him in 2025, underscoring NYU’s commitment to this collaboration by attending the signing in person.

Dr. Chen expressed special gratitude to NYU Trustee Andre Koo, whose efforts since 2023 have been pivotal in arranging visits to Taipei VGH by NYU leadership, including the university president, Langone executives, and other distinguished experts. Koo also facilitated the March signing of a memorandum of understanding that paved the way for this formal agreement and visit to New York.

The delegation also met with Dr. Anand Mahadevan, Director of the Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) program and Co-leader of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Management Team, and toured NYU’s Department of Radiation Oncology. Renowned professor Dr. Michael J. Zelefsky introduced advanced equipment such as the MR-LINAC. The group then visited NYU’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery, ranked second nationwide in 2025, where Chair Dr. Joseph Zuckerman—former president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2009)—welcomed them. As a fellow orthopedist, Dr. Chen was presented with a personally signed copy of Dr. Zuckerman’s orthopedic textbook.

At NYU, the group also met with Senior Vice Chancellor and Head of Global Strategy Raghu Sundaram, who hosted them on behalf of President Linda G. Mills. Both parties expressed strong interest in expanding collaborations in artificial intelligence and smart healthcare, building upon the relationship established during President Mills’ visit to Taipei VGH in October 2024.

Before arriving in New York, the delegation visited NVIDIA headquarters, Stanford University Medical Center, and Stanford’s Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) on August 9. Ying-Li Chen, OTL’s Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing, shared insights on Stanford’s decades-long experience in technology transfer, highlighting its role in advancing research commercialization, supporting education, and sustaining the university’s research ecosystem.

Taipei VGH inaugurated its Heavy Ion Cancer Therapy Center in May 2023 and has since treated nearly 550 patients, with pancreatic cancer accounting for about 30% of cases. The one-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients has reached 82.3%, underscoring the promise of heavy ion therapy in tackling highly challenging cancers. The new collaboration with NYU Langone Health strengthens the foundation for joint innovation in treatment models and clinical research, enhancing Taiwan’s global presence in advanced cancer care.

Resource: 重粒子治胰臟癌 台北榮總、紐約大學強強聯手 將合作轉介病人