HARTFORD -- In the race to find a cure for cancer, Connecticut is doing its part.

A new state partnership, We Work for Health Connecticut, was introduced at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building Tuesday. The partnership has more than 30 partners, including local businesses and academic and healthcare groups, and it is dedicated to protecting and fostering medical innovation.

Connecticut already excels in medical innovation, several speakers at the press conference pointed out, saying that over 70 medicines to treat or prevent cancer are being developed by Connecticut companies.

Attending the press conference was Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden, who advocates for breast cancer patients.

"I absolutely believe that together we can win this fight," Harden said of the battle against cancer.