Charting New Horizons – 2024 Scientific Symposium | Charting New Horizons – 2024 Scientific Symposium | Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals

Posted on June 25, 2024

Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals once again convened a gathering of pioneering minds at the 2024 Scientific Symposium, held in person on May 22 and 23. Under the leadership of Jonathan Stamler, MD, President & co-Founder, and Ronald G. Harrington, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, the event highlighted Harrington Discovery Institute’s ongoing commitment to translating groundbreaking science into life-changing medicines, including:

Achieving significant drug discovery and development milestones including sourcing 188 medicines in the making, 21 in clinical trials, and 15 licenses to pharma from collaborations with 66 academic institutions;
Launching the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Center’s Therapeutics Accelerator, in partnership with the University of Oxford, aiming to bring 40 rare disease medicines to clinical trials within ten years;
Raising $900 million in total capital, supported by prominent philanthropic partners and institutions;
Introducing new programs in rare diseases and brain health medicines, leveraging advancements in gene editing, RNA, and AI technologies; and
Establishing influential philanthropic and governance councils with leaders from various sectors, driving support and innovation in academic drug discovery.

This year's symposium opened with a keynote by Daniel Skovronsky, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President at Eli Lilly and Company, who delivered an inspiring lecture on "Harnessing Incretin Biology to Improve Human Health." Dr. Skovronsky's insights set a forward-looking tone for the symposium, highlighting the cutting-edge scientific advancements poised to revolutionize health care.

Following the keynote, attendees gained valuable perspectives from Ed Grabczyk, PhD, a 2018 Harrington Rare Disease Scholar from LSU Health Sciences Center, who shared his journey and experiences as a Harrington Scholar advancing treatment for Huntington's disease and other DNA repeat expansion disorders. His presentation underscored Harrington Discovery’s critical role in supporting scientists dedicated to rare disease research.

The evening concluded with a reception at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Fawick Gallery and a dinner at Severance Hall, where Arlene Sharpe, MD, PhD, Kolokotrones University Professor and Chair of the Department of Immunology at Harvard Medical School, provided reflections on her career and her groundbreaking work in immunology as the 2024 International Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicines Recipient.

The second day included a series of scientific presentations at the Cleveland Institute of Music, showcasing innovative research from Harrington Scholars. This session provided a platform for sharing discoveries that have the potential to transform patient care across various medical fields.

Participants enjoyed lunch at the Cleveland Botanical Garden where they heard a presentation from renowned neurosurgeon and neuroscientist Ali Rezai, MD, Executive Director of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Rezai's talk on "Focused Ultrasound: Breaking Barriers in Neurotherapeutics" offered a glimpse into the future of non-invasive treatments for neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, addiction, and more.

With a robust network of partners, a dedicated team of experts, and strong global partnerships, Harrington Discovery Institute continues to bridge the gap between academic discoveries and commercial therapeutics, fostering an environment where innovation thrives.

As the event concluded, attendees left with renewed inspiration and a shared commitment to advancing science and health. The 2024 Scientific Symposium was a testament to the power of collaboration and the relentless pursuit of advancing medical breakthroughs into medicines.