RSSMedical research institute launched in county
New partnership aims to ignite research, discoveries in genetic-oriented treatment
A major medical research institution is forming in Fairfax County, officials announced Monday.
The advent of the Ignite Institute is "an economy changer," said Gerald Gordon, president and chief executive officer of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, because it will allow the county to be a center for medical research for the first time.
"This will be not just a catalyst, but an accelerator of the biomedical expertise in Virginia," said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).
Ignite will focus on making advances in the field of "personalized medicine," using a person's genetic makeup to tailor treatments to him. The goal is to prevent the onset of common diseases and conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's and autism, according to Dr. Deitrich Stephan, founder of Ignite.
"This is the place where personalized medicine will take root and flourish," said Stephan, adding that Fairfax is "the ideal place" to launch this initiative due to its highly educated workforce and proximity to the federal government. "This is a first in medicine and we are happy to bring it here."
The nonprofit institute has secured $200 million in initial funding, including $25 million from the state and $25 million from Inova Health System, which will serve as a major partner in applying the techniques developed at Ignite.
"We're very pleased that we're in a position to be a positive part of this whole effort," said Knox Singleton, CEO of Inova Health Systems. The partnership with Inova will allow accelerated application of new discoveries to benefit patients, he said.
Most of the state funding will be in the form of performance grants, which must be approved by the Virginia General Assembly and will be tied to Ignite's ability to create jobs and raise outside capital, Kaine said. Gov.-elect Robert F. McDonnell (R) attended the announcement and pledged to continue his support for the effort.
Until it constructs a permanent space in the county, Ignite will be operating from the Center for Innovative Technology, a state-owned building that supports technology entrepreneurs. This will add laboratory space to the CIT, which could support other projects in the future.
The county will use its bonding authority to help Ignite fund the construction of a new facility.
The Ignite Institute will create an estimated 415 jobs in the next five years, according to the FCEDA. Officials say they are confident that the hefty public investment in the institute will pay off down the line in terms of direct jobs and private offshoots from the research.