The Francis Crick Institute, supported by Cancer Research UK, has received the largest ever individual philanthropic pledge in the institute’s five-year history. A pledge from the Chris Banton Foundation has enabled the setting up of a £50million research fund, dedicated to accelerating the translation of Crick discoveries and ideas into societal benefit, including the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease.
Discovery research sits at the heart of Crick science, but importantly the institute also embraces translation, creating a meeting point for the academic, clinical and industrial worlds where fundamental discoveries can potentially be turned into treatments, diagnostic tools and innovative technologies.
Paul Nurse, Director of the Crick, said “This fund is an investment in the long-term future of the Crick, and will help us to better harness our research to drive benefits for human health. We are incredibly grateful to the Chris Banton Foundation for this generous pledge, and for their ongoing support for our scientific vision.”
Véronique Birault, Translation Director at the Crick, said: “The scientific culture of the Crick means that our researchers always think about the translational potential of their work. This fund will enable Crick scientists to validate early-stage ideas, demonstrate commercial potential and identify industry partners or investors to progress Crick discoveries towards the marketplace.”
A spokesperson for the Chris Banton Foundation said: “We are delighted to be able to support the early-stage translation of research at the Crick. This fund represents an ongoing partnership with the institute through which we can progress exciting discoveries.”