On May 21–22, 2025, Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals welcomed scientific leaders, Harrington Scholars, donors, and global partners to Cleveland, Ohio, for its 12th annual Scientific Symposium. Over two days, attendees explored the progress being made to advance breakthrough discoveries into medicines, particularly for diseases that lack cures and commercial investment.
A Global Commitment to Cures
The Symposium underscored Harrington Discovery Institute’s mission to accelerate promising scientific discoveries into medicines for unmet need. In partnership with University Hospitals and through the enduring generosity of the Harrington family, Harrington Discovery Institute has become a global model for advancing medicines through science, philanthropy, and cross-sector collaboration.
The Harrington family’s vision and leadership continue to shape the progress of Harrington Discovery Institute, creating a legacy rooted in purpose to improve the health of patients and their families.
A Vision for Rare Disease Treatments
Among the initiatives highlighted was the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), a transatlantic initiative co-founded by Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals and the University of Oxford. The OHC’s shared goal is to develop 40 new rare disease medicines by 2034 by connecting promising academic discoveries with potential for clinical impact, with expert drug development capabilities.
A Symposium highlight was the participation of Lord (David) Cameron, former UK Prime Minister and Chair of the OHC Advisory Council. In his welcoming remarks to Harrington Scholars, he captured the urgency and potential of this mission:
“The work of Harrington Discovery Institute is second to none. It’s rare to find an organization that not only funds but also surrounds researchers with a full infrastructure to move discoveries forward. To be truly transformational, genomics requires the best of academia, life sciences, pharmaceutical companies, philanthropy and venture capital from around the world to come together. That is what the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre sets out to do, convening those key players and uniting around a bold mission.”
Lord Cameron joined a fireside chat with John F. Crowley, President & CEO of BIO and fellow OHC Advisory Council member, moderated by Daniel I. Simon, MD, President of Academic and External Affairs and Chief Scientific Officer at University Hospitals. The two leaders emphasized the power of global partnerships in advancing cures across borders and sectors.
Other Highlights
Dr. Megerian said, “Harrington Discovery Institute is a shining example of what so many of us aspired to do when we became doctors — identify a problem, solve the problem, help others. Our mission at UH is: To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. We fulfill our commitment to the ‘Discover’ part of our mission through Harrington Discovery — it’s our mechanism for investing in our nation’s best discoveries and brightest scholars to advance new cures.”
A Track Record of Translational Success
To date, Harrington Discovery Institute has advanced the development of new medicines by…
Looking Ahead
Symposium attendees left energized by presentations from Harrington Scholars advancing potential cures across a wide spectrum of diseases from Alzheimer’s to rare pediatric conditions. These stories reinforce the strength of Harrington’s innovation model: integrating funding, drug development expertise, and strategic partnership to move science to medicine.
As global collaborations deepen and more breakthroughs reach the clinic, Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals remains steadfast in its mission to deliver new medicines to patients in need.
Robert M. Califf, MD, MACC, Former Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, presents the Keynote presentation
From left to right: Cliff Megerian, MD (University Hospitals CEO); David Cameron (Former UK Prime Minister; Chair, Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Council); with Jonathan S. Stamler, MD (President and Co-Founder, Harrington Discovery Institute)
David Cameron addresses the Harrington Scholars
Ronald G. Harrington, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, shares the importance of an entrepreneurial and innovtive culture
From left to right: Matt Anderson, MD, PhD (Co-Director, Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre; Harrington Investigator, Harrington Discovery Institute); Matthew Wood, MD, PhD (Director, Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre); David Cameron; John F. Crowley (President and CEO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO); Member, Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Council); Jonathan S. Stamler, MD ; Ronald G. Harrington; Daniel I. Simon, MD (President, Academic and External Affairs and Chief Scientific Officer, University Hospitals); Stathis Antoniades, MPH, FABC (President, UH Cleveland Medical Center)
From left to right: Daniel I. Simon, MD, David Cameron and John F. Crowley during the fireside chat