The Gray Foundation Announces $25 Million in New Team Science Funding for BRCA-Related Cancer Research

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Gray Foundation today awarded $25M in funding for seven multi-institutional research teams to study new approaches for the early detection, diagnosis, and therapy of BRCA-related cancers.

These grants were the culmination of a strategic model designed to best align funding with the most promising topics in the field. After hosting a symposium in September 2018 for the world’s leading BRCA experts to debate the highest yielding areas of study, the Gray Foundation solicited applications for BRCA-related research proposals. Over 50 applications were vetted via a thorough review process and the Gray Foundation is awarding grants totaling $25 million to seven exceptional research teams. These multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary teams, some of which include international researchers, will receive up to $5 million each.

The 7 selected teams will commence studies into a variety of topics related to cancer risk prediction, prevention and treatment. Grants were awarded to teams led by:

• Joan S. Brugge, PhD – Ludwig Center at Harvard; Harvard Medical School
• Lewis C. Cantley, PhD – Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center; Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
• Leif W. Ellisen, MD, PhD – Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center; Harvard Medical School
• Charis Eng, MD PhD – Genomic Medicine Institute; Cleveland Clinic
• Katherine Nathanson, MD – Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania
• Patrick Sung, D. Phil. – University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Victor E. Velculescu, MD, PhD – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Other institutions contributing research as part of these teams include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, University of Cambridge, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, University of British Columbia, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Stanford University, QIMR Berghofer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University.

Chi Van Dang, M.D., Ph.D., world-renowned medical oncologist and Chief Science Advisor for the Gray Foundation, oversaw the selection process. Dr. Dang commented: “We were overwhelmed with the caliber of proposals and thank all the applicants for their dedication to BRCA research. The selected teams include some of the brightest minds in cancer research and we look forward to the results of their work.”

The Gray Foundation’s Mindy and Jon Gray added: “The progress being made in early detection and prevention of BRCA-related cancers is extraordinarily promising. Our goal is to accelerate this work by supporting the leading researchers in the field.”

The Gray Foundation is committed to supporting BRCA research. In 2012, the Grays made a transformative gift to establish the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. Additionally, the Foundation has made grants to a wide array of medical institutions including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Yale School of Medicine.

About the Gray Foundation

The Gray Foundation is focused on accelerating research, improving treatment and raising awareness for individuals who have inherited BRCA mutations.

In addition, the Foundation is committed to improving the lives of low income children in New York City. The Foundation partners with leading nonprofits to provide access to education, healthcare and opportunity for children across all five boroughs.

Jon and Mindy Gray founded the Gray Foundation in 2014. They have given over $175 million in support of these missions.

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