SAPA-GP Anti-SARS Forum

The Sino-American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association-Greater Philadelphia Chapter (SAPA-GP), joined by Chinese Student & Scholar Association at Penn (CSSAP), successfully hosted the “Anti-SARS Forum” at 218 Ben Franklin Room in Houston Hall, at the University of Pennsylvania from 12:30 to 5:30pm on June 1 (Sunday), 2003. Despite the rainy day and very short period of time for the event announcement, the forum attracted around 75 industrial and academic professionals.

Due to the outbreak of SARS in Asia counties and the recent situation of SARS, we, as a pharmaceutical professional organization, feel that it is our responsibilities to tell our people and community what is SARS and what are the current strategies against SARS from the point of view of pharmaceutical and public health professionals. SAPA-GP held a special EC meeting on May 18 and decided to host an informational and educational anti-SARS forum to the public in the Greater Philadelphia area. The purpose of this forum is:
  1. to educate the publics about SARS;
  2. to discuss opportunities and strategies of drug and vaccine R&D for SARS;
  3. to bridge the US pharma/biotech with Chinese government/pharma/biotech to fight SARS together.

Dr. Zhengying Nie, CSSAP President and Dr. Bo Liang, SAPA-GP president, opened the forum with welcome remarks. Dr. Han-Cheng Zhang, VP of SAPA-GP chaired the keynote speech session. In spite of a very short period time for preparation, SAPA-GP has secured high professional level of keynote speakers, including Dr. Carter, CEO of Hemispherx Biopharma, Dr. Adams, CEO of Protein Sciences Corporation, Dr. Liu, Medical Director at Viropharma, Professor Hong of UMDNJ, and Consul Gao from Consulate of China in NY. Their speeches covered SARS virology, epidemiology, prevention, therapy, current anti-viral drug/vaccine R&D, and current situation and strategies fighting against SARS in China, and were well received by audience. For detailed presentation slides, please visit http://www.sapa-gp.org.

Following the keynote speeches, Dr. Li Shi modulated an excellent panel discussion, which is consist of experts in pharmaceutical research, drug regulation and public health including the keynote speakers, joined by panelists: Dr. Cox, Dr. Ling Su, Mr. Stephen Ching, Mr. Jiang Fan, Mrs. Diana Y. Guo, Consul. Zheng, and Dr. Han-Cheng Zhang. This discussion expanded in the following three categories:

  1. Short term and long term strategy and approach of fighting SARS.
  2. Medical worker and public protection during SARS.
  3. China and US regulatory response and opportunities.

Dr. Haisong Tan, SAPA-GP Chair of Public Relations, called for the joint donation drive among Philadelphia community organizations after the panel discussion. On behalf of SAPA-GP, Dr. Bo Liang announced that SAPA-GP is pledged to donate $500 to the SARS Rescue Fund. Dr. John C. Chen, President of Chinese American Alliance for China’s Peaceful Reunification in American, and Dr. Zhengying Nie, CSSAP President, introduced their donation efforts in nationwide America and at the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. Liao represented Association of Philadelphia Chinese Computer Professionals (PCCP) expressing their support to the forum. In addition, some attendees made donations at the forum and the money collected has been sent to SAPA SARS Rescue fund.