Thank you, GSK, for your generous support of a $1.5-million boost to the endowed GSK Chair in Virology!

[From front left: Minister Nate Glubish, Marni Freeman (GSK), Lorne Tyrrell (LKSIoV), Verna Yiu (UA). From back row left: Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Ryan Lock (GSK), Bryan Tennant (GSK), Lawrence Richer (UA), Richard Lehner (UA).]

The GSK Chair in Virology at the University of Alberta is getting a $1.5-million boost from the biopharma company GSK, bringing the total value to almost $6 million and ensuring future excellence in virology research.

The endowment will ensure the recruitment of high-quality scientists to future leadership roles within the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, whose membership includes some of Canada’s top virologists and immunologists who were at the forefront of the hunt for treatments and vaccines against COVID-19.

“GSK believes that it is in our collective best interest to ensure that centres and thought leaders are supported — to maintain and drive excellence in research, to link innovation to the patient’s eventual access, and to attract and retain top talent,” says Marni Freeman, vice-president and medical director of GSK Canada. “With today’s announcement we are reaffirming our strong support for the University of Alberta, the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and Dr. Tyrrell as they take important steps to expand the GSK Chair in Virology propelling leading discoveries into life-changing solutions.”

The GSK Chair in Virology was established in 1996 with an initial investment of $1.75 million, coupled with a contribution of $1.25 million from the Government of Alberta. GSK committed a further $5 million in 2009 to purchase and maintain core laboratory facilities and equipment in the newly established institute. These facilities to handle highly infectious pathogens proved to be invaluable to U of A’s anti-COVID researchers as the pandemic struck.

Read the full story in UAlberta's Folio

You can also read more in Cision Canada news: $1.5 million boost to endowed chair from GSK positions U of A to expand leadership in virology research.