By Phil Liles: The University of Virginia has named Mark Esser as the first chief scientific officer of the upcoming Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology.
Esser will work with scientists to accelerate the development of new medicines and treatments for illnesses like cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Morning Edition Host Phil Liles spoke with Esser about his desire to turn a corner on incurable diseases, which he noted, requires significant federal funding. That funding is now uncertain as President Donald Trump halts $1.8 billion dollars in grants from the National Institutes of Health.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and style.
Phil Liles: Tell me about the new Manning Institute of Biotechnology and what kind of work will be done there.
The Manning Institute for Biotechnology is really going to be a catalyst for innovation here in Virginia and the country, and hopefully the world. It really has two key missions: to train and develop the next generation of scientists and physicians and medical leaders, and to transform some of the exciting scientific discoveries into new medicines and treatments.
The institute is going to focus on a couple key areas: neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson, trying to find new therapies and cures for cancer, and continuing to find new and better treatments for autoimmune diseases.
The institute will work on everything from genomic medicine to cell therapies and cutting-edge biologics.
Are you still on track to open in late 2026?
From what I've heard, it looks a little bit more like 2027. The institute is going to be 350,000 square feet, four stories, and will house some of the most cutting-edge and leading technologies in the laboratories — to not only do that basic research, but actually to manufacture some of those medicines that can be tested in clinical trials.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Coming back to those two missions: working with young investigators, scientists and physicians to get them excited about the drug discovery and development process, and then to actually discover and develop some new medicines that can really transform and improve people's lives. I would just be thrilled that, as a crowning accomplishment of the institute, we could point to new medicine.
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