Celebrating 10 Years of Drug Discovery and Development

From left: Ronald M. and Lydia Harrington, Jill Harrington, Nancy and Ronald G. Harrington

In 2012, the Harrington family of Hudson, Ohio, became the most generous philanthropic family in the history of University Hospitals. Their transformational gift of $50 million helped establish the Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, the first drug discovery institute of its kind dedicated to advancing the work of physician-scientists and developing first-in-class medicines to improve patient's lives and public health. This month marks Harrington Discovery's 10-year anniversary.

More than 500 million people worldwide are living today with diseases that have no available treatments. Despite breathtaking advances in basic science, economic and regulatory environments have led to an unacceptable low rate of new therapeutics. Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals was established in 2012 specifically to address this problem.

"Historically, it can take up to 10 years to develop a drug and advance it through clinical trials and, in the process, many worthwhile discoveries are lost," explained Jonathan Stamler, MD, President, Harrington Discovery Institute; Director, UH Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine; and Robert S. & Sylvia K. Reitman Family Foundation Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Innovation. "But thanks to the visionary foresight of the Harrington family, we find research with breakthrough potential and surround that physician-scholar with the resources and support they need to accelerate that timeline."

Harrington Discovery Institute provides physician-scholars with critical funding as well as a team comprised of a drug development advisor (former pharma leader with experience bringing drugs to market), business development advisor and project manager. This unique structure helps to move discoveries through the complex clinical trial process more efficiently for the benefit of patients everywhere.

"Science improves the lives of our loved ones. The opportunity to invest is a blessing; bringing medicines to those in need is a duty; and the power of this program is a gift." - Ronald G. Harrington

Make a Gift