U.Va., Inova to develop research institute in Northern Virginia

The University of Virginia and the Inova Health System announced a major partnership Wednesday that will include a $112 million research institute and a regional U. Va. School of Medicine campus at Inova.

Leaders from the two institutions say they expect to finalize a definitive agreement later this year. 

“U.Va. is one of the most prestigious research universities in the country, and Inova is one of the largest, most successful health-care systems,” Knox Singleton, CEO, Inova Health System, said in a statement. “This partnership leverages the complementary strengths of two institutions committed to providing the most advanced treatments and prevention strategies to the communities we serve.”

Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, praised the deal in a statement.

“This new relationship is yet another step toward Fairfax County becoming a center for medical innovation and our goal of diversifying the economic base of the county,” he said.

The institutions will collaborate on research, medical education, and the recruitment of researchers, scientists and investigators to Virginia.

The planned partnership includes:

·      The development of the Global Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Institute at the Inova Center for Personalized Health: The Institute will recruit researchers, scientists and investigators who will collaborate on research focused on genomics, functional biology, bioinformatics, biologically driven engineering, precision medicine, translational research, development of targeted therapeutics, and commercialization of new discoveries. The Virginia General Assembly allocated $28 million in funding for the institute; U. Va. is contributing $28 million and Inova is providing $56 million. 
·      A cancer research partnership between the Inova Schar Cancer Institute and U.Va. Cancer Center, including efforts to achieve designation by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.
·      A regional campus of the U.Va. School of Medicine at Inova, which would enable U.Va. medical students to complete their clerkship and post-clerkship education in Northern Virginia at Inova facilities.
·      U.Va. and Inova will explore the creation of a biomedical investment vehicle to advance discovery through to commercialization.

Inova Health System, based in Falls Church,  serves more than 2 million people each year.