The Blavatnik Family Foundation has committed $200 million to Boston-based Harvard Medical School, the largest gift in the medical school's 236-year history, Harvard University announced.
The university said the gift will be used "to accelerate the pace of therapeutic discovery and support initiatives aimed at solving some of humanity's most acute biomedical challenges."
The gift will fund research and a therapeutics initiative to bring about new treatments and train scientists.
The university said it will also go toward "integrated data science and artificial intelligence capabilities and applications," as well as cross-disciplinary life-sciences research. Additionally, it will help support the launch of the Blavatnik Harvard Life Lab Longwood, which will offer workplaces for early stage, high-potential biotech and life sciences startups.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation, a frequent contributor to life-sciences initiatives, is led by Len Blavatnik, who graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1989.
"We are deeply grateful to the Blavatnik Family Foundation — and Len Blavatnik in particular — for the resounding vote of confidence in Harvard Medical School," said Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow. "Len is one of this generation's greatest philanthropists. He understands that great strides in human health comprise many steps taken by many people over long periods of time."
"This tremendous act of generosity will speed progress and generate profound and lasting contributions to science and human health," he said.
Harvard Medical School will recognize the gift by naming a research institute for the donor, called the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School.
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