Orlando-based Florida Hospital is discussing the possibility of acquiring and rebranding the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at Lake Nona, also in Orlando, sources close to the matter told the Orlando Sentinel.
The sources, who sought to remain anonymous for fear of potential retaliation, said executives discussed the possibility of turning Sanford Burnham into a cancer treatment and research center during a meeting Friday, according to the report.
Leaders of both organizations reportedly told employees at the meeting they do not have a tentative agreement in place and cannot provide a timeline for potential negotiations, according to the report.
Democratic Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told the Orlando Sentinel there have been formative discussions with Florida Hospital about taking over the Sanford Burnham property, but no deal has been finalized.
Last year, Sanford Burnham leaders revealed plans to leave Orlando and allow the Gainesville-based University of Florida to take over the facility's operations. However, the deal collapsed in October 2016.
It is unclear what will happen to the remaining faculty and staff at Sanford Burnham, or what will become of the several million dollars of specialized equipment located at the facility if the deal is finalized, according to the report.
Florida Hospital has become one of Sanford Burnham's most prominent partners since the facility's creation. The organizations established the Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes Research in 2009.