Strengthening UHs Global Reach to Impact Patients Worldwide through Harrington Discovery Institute

From Left to Right: David Cameron, former U.K. Prime Minister and Chair of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Board, Jill Harrington, Nancy Harrington, and Ronald G. Harrington.

Transforming Lives: Pioneering Rare Disease Treatment in Trans-Atlantic Partnership

On October 3, 2023, the University of Oxford and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals announced the launch of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Therapeutics Accelerator with an official signing event at the University of Oxford. The event was hosted by the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), a partnership established in 2019 between the University of Oxford and Harrington Discovery Institute. This partnership seeks to revolutionize medicine by accelerating the development of groundbreaking treatments for rare diseases. This global partnership will not only strengthen the UH mission but also transform the lives of millions of patients suffering from rare diseases.

From left to right: Jonathan S. Stamler, MD, President, Harrington Discovery Institute; Robert S. & Sylvia K. Reitman Family Foundation Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Innovation; Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Chief Executive Officer; Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair; David Cameron, former U.K. Prime Minister, Chair of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Board; and Ronald G. Harrington, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.

Rare Disease: A Global Crisis

Rare diseases affect over 400 million people worldwide, with nearly half being children. These diseases often bring a lifetime of suffering, as the majority lack FDA-approved treatments. As we expand our global reach into the UK, we are committed to changing this reality.

The goal of the Therapeutics Accelerator is to deliver 40 new, potentially life-changing therapies for rare diseases into clinical trials over the next decade. By joining forces with the University of Oxford, Harrington Discovery Institute aims to redefine the landscape of medicine itself.

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron leads this international effort as the Chair of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Board. His commitment underscores the significance of this initiative and its potential to make a profound impact on global healthcare.

Harrington Discovery Institute's focus lies on rare genetic diseases affecting both children and adults, where the need for innovative treatments is urgent and the potential for impact is vast. Projects will be sourced from academic labs across the UK and US, embodying UH's commitment to global collaboration.

This transformative initiative operates on a unique non-profit/for-profit model, with an extraordinary commitment of up to $200 million into new projects. Learn more about the partnership and program.