Dear Friends and Colleagues,
There are rare occasions when philanthropy can not only change lives, but the trajectory of human life itself.
One such occasion is upon us now. It is an opportunity so extraordinary that it brings together the most innovative minds in science and philanthropy in partnership with the State of California and one of the world’s top-ranked research universities and hospital systems. Our shared goal is to end disease as we know it within our lifetimes.
This is why Alya and I are donating $120 million at this time to help launch the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy (CIII), which will anchor the beautiful new UCLA Research Park on the site of the former Westside Pavilion Mall. Once open, it will be the crown jewel of Westwood.
It has been the honor of my life to have partnered in this nearly decade-long endeavor with a “dream team” of visionary philanthropists: Meyer Luskin, Eric Esrailian, M.D., Arie Belldegrun, M.D., Michael Milken, and Sean Parker.
Immunology – the study of the human immune system – holds extraordinary potential to unlock the mysteries of the human body, revolutionize healthcare in ways we can only begin to imagine, and help all of humanity on a fundamental, molecular level.
Not long ago, if you had asked a physician what the immune system did, the answer would have been, “It fights infections.” Only recently have we learned the true potential of our own immune systems.
Immunotherapy has led to seemingly ‘miracle’ treatments for what were previously incurable cancers. Now, with a single injection, we can vaccinate people with leukemias and lymphomas and cure them.
Beyond immunotherapy’s promise to prevent, treat, and cure disease, it holds the key to abate the ravages of aging, and provide a lasting treatment for chronic conditions including Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, Obesity, Alzheimer’s and other Neurodegenerative disorders.
CIII will be a biomedical invention factory to rapidly translate discoveries into lifesaving treatments and therapies.
This is made possible through our partnership with UCLA, its extraordinary staff of world class physicians, far-reaching clinic and hospital systems, and service to one of the most representative and diverse patient populations anywhere.
CIII will generate abundant jobs and attract the world’s top scientists, biotech leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors. It will revitalize Westwood and be a boon to Los Angeles. CIII will be essential to the future economic wellbeing of the State of California and will be to biotechnology what Silicon Valley has been to information technology.
We are profoundly grateful to Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon, and Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Toni Atkins, who have been absolutely visionary in their support for this transformational enterprise, as have been the Regents of the University of California, UCLA Health’s John Mazziotta, M.D., and most particularly, former UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.
There is no end to worthwhile causes; but this is an extraordinary opportunity to join philanthropists, policymakers, and industry leaders to affect the health and wellbeing of every person alive today and far into the future.
This is a chance to change the world and leave it better than we found it. It is an opportunity we simply cannot miss.
Sincerely,
Gary K. Michelson, M.D.
Co-Founder and Chairman, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy
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