Video credit: UCLA TDG
Dr. Gary Michelson recently joined fellow founders of the California Institute for Immunology & Immunotherapy (CIII) at the LA Bioscience Ecosystem Summit Twenty24 to discuss the Institute and its impact on shaping the future of immunotherapy and immunology research.
The panel, which took place at the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, featured Dr. Michelson and his CIII co-founders:
- Arie Belldegrun, the Chairman of Bellco Capital
- Eric Esrailian, the Chief of the Vatche
- Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine
- Owen Witte, the Presidential Chair of Developmental Immunology at UCLA
During the discussion, Dr. Michelson explained the motivations behind establishing the CIII and why it will serve as a new research model for accelerating preventative care, treatments, and cures: “As a philanthropist, I cannot think of any place to invest money that would have the impact – the return on investment – that a vaccine does. The mission of the C triple I is to develop those vaccines,” Michelson said.
Michelson went on to acknowledge the prowess of academic research and its continuing impact on medical advances and public health. Yet he highlighted academia’s reluctance to embrace commercialization.
“That’s a mistake,” Michelson added. “We need to spawn out the next Amgens and Genentechs, build out an ecosystem, and have vibrant commercialization.”
The CIII’s unique approach resulted in the state of California pledging $500 million into the institute. The unprecedented move reflected a promise Michelson reiterated during the panel: “We don’t do research for research’s sake. We do it to help mankind. “We’re going to make these discoveries, and we’re going to convert them into immunotherapies immediately. That’s our goal.”
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