Foundation Chairman Neal F. Kassell, MD, and Asia Program Director Jessica Lukens recently returned from a week-long visit to Hong Kong and Taiwan, during which more than 20 meetings were held to discuss the current and potential impact of focused ultrasound in Asia and around the world.
With the support of Board and Council members Syaru Shirley Lin, PhD, Jessica Che-yi Chao, and Bernice Szeto, who connected Foundation staff with prospective donors, investors, and thought leaders, our Asia Program continues to gather momentum, build connections, and foster collaboration throughout our global focused ultrasound community.
The Foundation will soon have an official presence in Asia.
“Because there is a tremendous amount of focused ultrasound research activity in the region, the Foundation is forming a Hong Kong subsidiary through which funds may be received from Hong Kong and Asia-based philanthropists and then distributed out to research institutions in Asia,” Kassell said. “Focused Ultrasound Foundation Hong Kong, which is projected to be operational in 2020, will be a critical part of our Asia Program.” Furthermore, the Foundation’s FUS Partners program is seeking to assist manufacturers around the world, including Asia, by fostering relationships for financing, partnerships, and technology transfer from academic research institutions.
An important part of the Foundation’s Asia program is the efforts of consultant Dong-Guk Paeng, PhD, who is actively helping the Foundation build relationships with research sites and manufacturers throughout Asia. Although the numbers are continually being updated, the Foundation currently counts 15 manufacturers, 244 commercial treatment sites, and 165 research sites in Asia. Focused ultrasound researchers in Europe and the US have also built productive collaborations in Asia over the past several years, and the Foundation looks to support and further develop these partnerships.
As a part of its investment in Asia, the Foundation has funded six clinical trials and one technical study in Japan and Korea. The Foundation seeks applications from countries and researchers who are working in all areas of focused ultrasound development. Researchers seeking support can read about our external research awards program and high priority research areas. The Foundation’s Scholars Program is also seeking global applicants for its fellowship and internship placements.
The Foundation team will return to Asia in fall 2019 and spring 2020. For more information, or to get involved, contact Jessica Lukens at jlukens@fusfoundation.org.
Read Common Health Magazine’s interview with Dr. Kassell about focused ultrasound as a treatment option for neurological conditions, cancer and more. (Chinese only)
Read more about our Asia Program.