VALENCIA, Calif., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mann Foundation for Biomedical Engineering announced the opening of the most recent Alfred Mann Institute, this one at the Technion -- Israel Institute of Technology (AMIT) in Haifa, Israel. The AMIT is a university-based institute designed to enable commercialization of innovative biomedical technologies that improve human health.
The acronym AMIT stands for the Alfred Mann Institute at the Technion, which has a double meaning in Hebrew of “friend, colleague or partner.” This partnership between the Mann Institute and the Technion will focus on advances in the biomedical, medical device and life sciences industries.
Alfred Mann, a world renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, created the first AMI at the University of Southern California, which became operational in 2001 as a test-bed for the development for future AMIs. In 2004 he announced his Foundation’s plans to establish a group of AMIs at a number of select universities over the coming years. Mann’s vision has been to establish AMIs in an effort to make further advances in the biomedical field and bring new biomedical products to the public. AMIT is the second Institute to open its doors and the only Institute established internationally. A gift of $100M for the creation of the third AMI on the campus of Purdue University was announced earlier this year.
“We are delighted to partner with the Technion due to the university’s technological innovation and tremendous contribution to Israel’s economy,” Al Mann stated in a conversation with Technion President, Professor Yitzhak Apeloig. “The Technion has already achieved impressive results and we believe it will continue to thrive in the areas of medicine, science, engineering and technology.”
The motivation behind opening an institute within Israel came from Mann’s wife, Claude Mann. Claude, who is not Jewish, has had a strong connection to the Jewish faith. Her father was active in the French Resistance during World War II and was sent to a concentration camp for hiding Jews from Nazi soldiers. Claude was born in a concentration camp and she will always hold a strong connection with the Jewish people.
During the opening ceremony of the institute, President Yitzhak Apeloig publicly applauded Claude’s support of the university and honored her by dedicating a floor of the Institute in her name.
“We would like to express both our sincere gratitude and admiration to both Dr. Mann and his wife, Claude, for their generous donation to our university,” stated President Apeloig. “We know that through the collaboration of our joint efforts, the Technion will continue to implement life changing research in a number of biomedical fields. We foresee that the Institute will create a platform for successful technologies and companies for years to come.”
About the Mann Foundation for Biomedical Engineering
The Mann Foundation for Biomedical Engineering is a philanthropic organization that establishes university-based institutes (AMIs) to enable and support biomedical product development for the benefit of mankind. Alfred Mann’s philanthropic mission is to create and expedite the delivery of life- improving biomedical products to patients.
Mann is chairman of the boards of directors for the Alfred Mann Institutes for biomedical development at USC, Purdue, and the Technion. Mann also is chairman and chief executive officer of MannKind Corp. and of Advanced Bionics Corp.; chairman of Second Sight LLC, Bioness Inc., AlleCure Corp., Quallion LLC and Inplantable Acoustics; and chairman emeritus of Pacesetter System Inc. and MiniMed. All of these highly successful companies were founded by Mann.
About the Technion
As Israel’s oldest and premier institute of science and technology, the Technion -- Israel Institute of Technology has been an active and leading participant in Israel’s establishment and development.
The university offers degrees in science and engineering, and related fields such as architecture, medicine, industrial management and education in an intellectually invigorating environment. Great emphasis is also placed on its humanities and social science programs, the incorporation of which take on ever-increasing importance in today’s multi-faceted workplace. But Technion’s goals go beyond providing a well-rounded technical education. At the institute, scientific instruction is interwoven with professional ethics, producing leaders sensitive to social and environmental issues.
As a whole, the Technion is committed to its role as one of Israel’s top facilities for science and technology, a role that is necessary for the future of Israel and to all of humanity.
Mann Foundation for Biomedical Engineering
CONTACT: Rachel Martin of Edelman, +1-323-202-1031,Rachel.Martin@edelman.com, for Mann Foundation for Biomedical Engineering
