Blackbird Laboratories—a newly launched Baltimore-based nonprofit—has announced a $100 million grant from the Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation to accelerate development of novel medicines and technologies in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the Lieber Institute for Brain Development.

The grant from the foundation established by Stephen Bisciotti—owner of the National Football League’s Baltimore Ravens—and his wife, Renee, will fund collaborative research and investments focused on advancing innovative therapies that address immunological, neurological, and genetic diseases, as well as cancer. Blackbird will provide capital and strategic advice to help bridge the gap between pioneering academic science and the delivery of new drugs and technologies to patients.

“Blackbird Labs is an exciting new element of our innovation ecosystem, a unique resource for funding and expertise,” said JHU senior advisor to the president Christy Wyskiel. “Its focus on therapeutic assets…and on Baltimore-based start-ups is well aligned with our mission.”

“We are thrilled to launch Blackbird Labs, a next-generation life sciences accelerator with a vision to develop new technologies and therapies emerging from premier research institutions here in Baltimore and across the country,” said Blackbird CEO Matt Tremblay. “We look forward to utilizing our collective expertise in academic translation, company creation, and drug development and leveraging our academic partnerships to lay the groundwork for the biotech companies of the future.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Sean Anthony Eddy)