Biden’s cancer nonprofit suspends operations

The cancer research nonprofit founded by former Vice President Joe Biden is shutting down amid his White House run, its director announced.

The Biden Cancer Initiative was launched in 2017 as an offshoot of the Obama White House’s Cancer Moonshot program. According to a statement on its website, the initiative suspended all operations effective July 11. 

Greg Simon, president of the Biden Cancer Initiative, said the organization is “suspending activities given our unique circumstances.”

{mosads}Simon added that “we remain personally committed to the cause, but at this time will have to pause efforts. We thank the community for their incredible response to our mission to improve the cancer journey for patients and to improve outcomes for all patients for generations to come.”

Biden, who is the front-runner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, and his wife stepped down from the organization’s board of directors in April, prior to announcing his candidacy. 

Biden headed the Obama administration’s efforts to find ways to speed up the development of new cancer treatment. His son Beau died of brain cancer in May 2015.

Last month, The Associated Press raised questions about whether the organization’s partnerships with for-profit health companies like insurers and drug manufacturers would pose a conflict of interest should Biden win the presidential election. 

Biden on Monday unveiled his health care plan, which includes ambitious ideas to tackle high drug prices.