Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics
Embracing big and bold ideas to ensure resilience against future pandemics
The largest philanthropic donation to medical research, and one of the largest gifts in Australia’s history, was announced in August, to establish the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics at the University’s Parkville campus.
The work of this groundbreaking global medical centre will focus on research in emerging, high-potential molecular platforms and computational techniques to develop new therapeutics with unprecedented speed.
Establishment of the new centre will be made possible by the exceptional generosity of international businessman and philanthropist, Mr Geoffrey Cumming, a Canadian and New Zealand citizen who lives in Melbourne, and the vision of the Victorian Government. Mr Cumming donated $250 million to the University of Melbourne to establish the new Cumming Global Centre within the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
The centre will provide a critical ‘second shield’ to protect society in the event of another COVID-type event. This extraordinary donation will enable rapid design, testing and delivery of new therapeutics within months of a pandemic outbreak.
At the official announcement of the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics (left to right)
philanthropists Geoffrey and Anna Cumming, University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell, Doherty Institute Director Professor Sharon Lewin AO, and University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Jim McCluskey. Image: Stephen McKenzie
“It will provide long-term support for both junior and senior researchers to tackle big and bold ideas,” said Professor Sharon Lewin AO, Director of the University of Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
Experience from previous pandemics, including COVID-19, has shown that therapeutics are critically important in preventing progression of infections to severe disease, and ultimately in saving lives.
The approach taken by the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics will complement public health measures and,
in addition to vaccines, provide an effective therapeutic response for people contracting disease in the face of a pandemic.
The centre will have the potential to transform how the next outbreak is managed by addressing traditional dependence on vaccines alone.
In support of Mr Cumming’s donation, the Victorian Government recognised the critical need to advance science behind therapeutics for the benefit of society, making a significant initial contribution of $75 million to the new venture.
The Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics will be established within the Doherty Institute’s Parkville facility and will form part of the $650 million Australian Institute for Infectious Disease, a partnership between the University of Melbourne, the Doherty Institute and Burnet Institute, and co-funded by the Victorian Government with a $400 million investment.
Banner image: Laureate Professor Peter Doherty and philanthropist Geoffrey Cumming at the official announcement of the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics. Image: Stephen McKenzie