United Tech donates $3M for Yale cancer research

United Technologies donates $3 million for endowed Yale professorship in cancer research

Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Aerospace conglomerate United Technologies Corp. says it's donated $3 million to establish an endowed professorship at the Yale Cancer Center in New Haven

Lieping Chen will be the first United Technologies Corp. Professor in Cancer Research.

Chen is known for research leading to clinical trials of new cancer drugs that harness the body's immune system to fight cancer. He says the support from the Hartford, Conn., company will make it possible for him to continue to focus on researching ways to use a patient's immune system to attack cancer.

United Technologies donated $1 million in 2008 for construction of the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

It's the parent company of jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney, Otis elevator, Sikorsky and other airline components and building systems businesses.