Purpose, Powers and Duties

Purpose

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is the state agency mandated to (1) create and expedite innovation in the area of cancer research and in enhancing the potential for a medical or scientific breakthrough in the prevention of cancer and cures for cancer; (2) attract, create, or expand research capabilities of public or private institutions of higher education and other public or private entities that will promote a substantial increase in cancer research and in the creation of high-quality new jobs in this state; and (3) develop and implement the Texas Cancer Plan.

Powers and Duties

(a) The institute may:

(1) make grants to provide funds to public or private persons to implement the Texas Cancer Plan, and may make grants to institutions of learning and to advanced medical research facilities and collaborations in this state for:

(A) research into the causes of and cures for all types of cancer in humans;

(B) facilities for use in research into the causes of and cures for cancer;

(C) research, including translational research, to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the cure or substantial mitigation of all types of cancer in humans; and

(D) cancer prevention and control programs in this state to mitigate the incidence of all types of cancer in humans;

(2) support institutions of learning and advanced medical research facilities and collaborations in this state in all stages in the process of finding the causes of all types of cancer in humans and developing cures, from laboratory research to clinical trials and including programs to address the problem of access to advanced cancer treatment;

(3) establish the appropriate standards and oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under this chapter for cancer research and facilities development;

(4) employ an executive director as determined by the oversight committee;

(5) employ necessary staff to provide administrative support; and

(6) monitor contracts and agreements authorized by this chapter.