Immunotherapy And Melanoma Research Get Big Boost With Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The promising field of immunotherapy, in which melanoma research has played a significant role, got a massive boost yesterday with the announcement of the formation of the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins University. Led by Drew Pardoll and including prominent melanoma researchers such as Suzanne Topalian, a board member of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the new institute will provide much-needed resources to harness the power of the immune system to fight cancer.

“We applaud the creation of the new institute and welcome the focus this brings to the power of immunotherapy in fighting melanoma and other cancers”

“We applaud the creation of the new institute and welcome the focus this brings to the power of immunotherapy in fighting melanoma and other cancers,” said Debra Black, co-founder and chair of MRA, the largest private funder of melanoma research in the world. “MRA has long supported the immunotherapy research of Drew and Suzanne and are hopeful that they and other researchers will continue to provide insights into the causes of and treatments for cancers that affect millions of people.”

MRA has supported immunotherapy research since its formation in 2007, including team science awards to Pardoll and Topalian at Johns Hopkins. Topalian served as MRA’s first chief science officer and, in addition to her board seat, currently serves on the Medical Advisory Panel and as chair of its Scientific Advisory Panel. Both Pardoll and Topalian serve on MRA’s Grant Review Committee, which provides scientific, merit-based peer review of research proposals submitted to MRA.

About The Melanoma Research Alliance

MRA is a public charity formed in 2007 under the auspices of the Milken Institute, with the generous founding support of Debra and Leon Black. MRA is the largest private funder of melanoma research and has provided nearly $68 million to research seeking to better prevent, diagnose and treat melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Due to the ongoing support of its founders, 100 percent of every dollar MRA raises goes to support its melanoma research program. MRA’s ability to fund wide-ranging research in melanoma is amplified by unique collaborations and partnerships with individuals, private foundations and corporations. Visit www.CureMelanoma.org for more information, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.