Luc Montagnier, Chief Scientific Officer of SVA Ventures Group, world famous virologist, medical scientist and joint winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2008, visited Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU) on Sunday.

A long-time researcher at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, now regularly working in China, Montagnier won the prize for his discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

During the visit, Montagnier expressed his wish to further expand his relationship with China and with BJU. He is seeking to hold regular academic conferences with the hospital's medical staff in the future.

"I hope to work with BJU and its connections in the community to share the latest developments in pathology and immunology with doctors in China," said Montagnier. "We hope to share the latest knowledge and bring opportunities to young doctors who have potential to make great advances."

Montagnier is known for his efforts in HIV research and immunology, co-founding the World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention. He is also the founder of the World Foundation for Medical Research and Prevention.

"My company enjoys a long-term close relationship with United Family Healthcare," he said, referring to the hospital's parent organization.

Montagnier described BJU as one of the most "beautiful and qualified" hospitals he has ever visited, a comment referencing the environment, facilities and staff.

"Here I've seen doctors and patients from all over the world, a wonderful example of medicine without borders," noted Montagnier.

"Simultaneously, I've come to realize that the standards of healthcare at BJU are also outstanding. They have an oncology center, cardiovascular center and other clinics to treat a myriad of emergency, acute and severe conditions."

BJU is a leading hospital in Beijing. The hospital's leadership is very forward-looking and has recently imported some of the most advanced medical equipment in the world, including a 64-slice CT scanner and linear accelerator.

This push to attain the best treatment tools deeply impressed Montagnier.

"I can see that they are committed to constantly improving the hospital's overall standards of healthcare," he said.

United Family Healthcare has established long-term collaboration with SVA Group. The joint program will also bring to BJU other Nobel Laureates in immunology and world’s leading research centers in the areas of cancer and anti-ageing including Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Saint Louis Hospital in Paris and Anderson Cancer Center.