Obama Aims Anti-Cancer ‘Moonshot’ With Biden Steering Investment
- Biden makes cancer research priority after son Beau's death
- New task force doesn't include drug industry representatives
Vice President Joe Biden points at President Barack Obama during the State of the Union address in Washington on Jan. 12, 2016.
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President Barack Obama on Thursday created a task force intended to marshal resources across the federal government to prevent, treat and cure cancer and appointed Vice President Joe Biden to lead the group.
The panel will hold its first meeting on Monday. Its mission is to examine cancer spending by the government, private sector and the philanthropic community and accelerate breakthroughs against the disease, which last year claimed the life of Biden’s oldest son, Beau, at age 46. His death left the vice president in mourning for months and helped dissuade Biden from running for president.