Imagine a future ...

... in which cancer can no longer cloak itself, can no longer evade and subvert the body’s defenses, can no longer survive in the face of precisely targeted treatments.

... in which we can train the body’s own immune system to destroy deadly diseases — with power and precision — and in which the ability of diseases to resist vaccines and drugs is a thing of the past.

... in which we can swiftly understand and contain diseases such as COVID-19 through prevention, safe and effective therapeutics, and rapidly developed vaccines before they cause deadly pandemics.

At The Wistar Institute, we’re not imagining that hope-filled future.

We’re creating it.

Watch how this campaign will put science in the service of humanity.

Bold Science // 
Global Impact

THE WISTAR CAMPAIGN FOR

Three strategic and urgent imperatives inspire every project, every collaboration, every researcher at Wistar. Now they guide this bold quest for transformative investments — and visionary investors. 

IMPERATIVE

1

Drive Breakthroughs in Biomedical Science & Technology

At Wistar, we save lives by getting to know every aspect of our biological enemies so we can predict and overcome the challenges of deadly diseases. We are committed to making impactful discoveries by establishing platforms to create molecular- and cellular-based strategies against cancer and infectious diseases.

  • Increase our scientific talent. Medical breakthroughs begin in bright minds: the creative, courageous imaginations of our current and future research faculty.

  • Identify and acquire the most advanced technologies and research capabilities, from analytical equipment that allows us to see an immune response in a single cell to artificial intelligence. Only by leveraging the latest technological breakthroughs can we unlock disease pathways and find cures. 

  • Expand our collaborative research, focusing on Wistar's historic strengths in immunology, cancer and infectious diseases to develop the medicines of tomorrow, new life-saving vaccines and next-generation immunotherapeutics.

WITH YOUR INVESTMENT, WE WILL:

IMPERATIVE

2

Create Powerful Partnerships — Locally and Globally

Partnership and collaboration are deeply entwined in Wistar’s institutional DNA. Our internal culture of collaboration is crucial to our nimbleness, our cross-disciplinary insights, and our disproportionately great impact on advances in cancer research, vaccine development, immunotherapy, and infectious diseases.

WITH YOUR INVESTMENT, WE WILL:

  • Cultivate new domestic collaborative partnerships with regional health systems to advance translational research.

  • Attract international scientific talents to develop the next generation of leaders in biomedical research, advancing innovative global collaborations through training and visiting scholar programs anchored at Wistar.

  • Expand the Wistar Science Accelerator program to globally support sustainable recruitment, public-private partnerships, technology development, access to patient resources, and collaborations.

IMPERATIVE

3

Educate and Train the Next Generation of Innovators

Over the last 125 years, we have learned that we must constantly fuel the flame of discovery and hand off the torch of knowledge so new generations of scientific leaders can carry on our mission.

WITH YOUR INVESTMENT, WE WILL:

  • Enhance mentoring and cohort development for each educational program.

  • Develop curricula and training materials that closely connect to Wistar research and embed the cutting-edge technological capabilities of Wistar core facilities.

  • Expand the continuum of Wistar educational programs to create a diverse, inclusive life sciences talent pipeline.

  • Create a Wistar Trainee Network to connect Wistar-trained scientists by expanding international training partnerships with universities abroad and by strengthening industry partnerships to accelerate Wistar innovations and create strong employment opportunities for Wistar-trained students.

YOU

Powerful support — your support — can expand and accelerate our progress, making lifesaving breakthroughs a reality years sooner than would be otherwise possible. 

Wistar’s track record is remarkable. Our capabilities are mighty.

Our Campaign Catalyst:

And our vision for this campaign’s imperatives — and their global impact — is audacious.

DARIO C. ALTIERI, M.D., PRESIDENT & CEO

“I believe that this is our moment, as people and as an organization. If we stay true to our core values of science first, if we are not distracted by chasing something that we are not, and if we choose our own path without trying to copy others, we will fulfill both a dream and a promise. Both are within reach. Where discovery solves big problems, knowledge improves lives and innovation creates new futures.” 

Investing in Biomedical Advances that Save Lives

Bold Science //
Global Impact

A $75 MILLION CAMPAIGN FOR THE WISTAR INSTITUTE 

The Wistar Difference

Wistar’s global reputation and impact reflect a unique combination of strengths. A proud tradition of world-changing biomedical breakthroughs. A visionary focus on the future. A nimble organizational structure that values collaboration above competition and leans into impact more than bureaucracy.

The results bear witness to the power of this combination. Wistar ranks in the very highest tier of research organizations — indeed, in the top 1% of global research institutions. More important than our ranking, though, is our impact: We’re one of today’s most innovative, productive, and transformative research and educational endeavors.

To expand our impact on human health, we're taking bold action now.

TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN 
INVEST IN WISTAR’S 
BOLD SCIENCE // GLOBAL IMPACT
CAMPAIGN, CONTACT:

Office of Institutional Advancement
3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-3930 // development@wistar.org