The Cyprus Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) is “a jewel for our country,” said EU Health Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, on Friday.

Kyriakides toured the site of the soon-to-be completed CCRI’s new facilities at the University of Cyprus (UCy), accompanied by the institute’s president, UCy Professor of Physics, Constantinos Christofides.

Kyriakides said the institute was enabled by the large donation of the George and Kaity David foundation and noted that the institute is a collaboration between UCy, the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, and the Karaiskakio foundation.

Cancer research is one of the central pillars of the EU cancer strategy, Kyriakides said, important for both for prevention and treatment.

A number of research projects are underway in Cyprus she added, saying, “We should feel very proud of the research being done.”

The commissioner expressed her gratitude to George and Kaity David, thanks to whom the building, to be named Nikola David-Pinedo, in memory of their daughter, is being erected.

Upon its expected completion in two to three months, it will house 100 researchers, Professor Christofis said, noting that the spaces were excellent and on a par with cancer research centres in much bigger countries.