Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has announced a ten-year, $275 million gift from an unidentified donor in support of its efforts to accelerate the development of drugs and therapies to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.

The lead gift in a $500 million capital campaign will give Sanford-Burnham — which operates research facilities in San Diego, California, and Orlando, Florida — the financial stability to pursue promising discoveries that drive breakthroughs at the forefront of medical research innovation. "Our ultimate goal is to translate basic research discoveries into innovative therapeutics that have a tangible impact on people's lives," said Kristiina Vuori, the institute’s president and interim CEO. "Our strategic vision will enable us to speed cures to patients through an expanded network of partnerships with organizations that share our mission to conquer disease."

To that end, the institute will build on its efforts in basic research and human biology by exploring team-based concepts that bring together basic research and clinical investigators to address unmet medical needs. The institute also plans to vigorously pursue research breakthroughs in the realm of therapeutics development by leveraging its small-molecule drug discovery platform and strengthen existing partnerships with the likes of Takeda, Pfizer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the Mayo Clinic, Florida Hospital, and Sanford Health.

"Our independence, agility, and collaborative culture are especially attractive to partners who share our commitment to high-yield research," said Gregory T. Lucier, chairman of Sanford-Burnham's board of trustees and chairman and CEO of Life Technologies. "The combination of expertise in human biology and state-of-the-art drug discovery technology under one roof sets Sanford-Burnham apart from its peer institutions."