Bill and Janet Freytag Make $5 Million Endowed Gift to Bolster Biotech Research, Teaching at CU
October 30, 2008
The University of Colorado announced a $5 million endowment gift from former Myogen CEO and local entrepreneur Bill Freytag and his wife, Janet, in support of the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology, or CIMB, at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The endowment will support interdisciplinary research at the interface of the biomedical sciences, chemistry, physics, computer science and engineering, including collaborations between researchers at CU-Boulder and at the UC Denver Anschutz Medical Campus.
CIMB research teams, which pursue breakthroughs at the intersection of engineering, science, and medicine, have recently been studying melanoma cells to gain insights on the mechanism of cancer progression and exploring inhalable vaccines that allow patients greater access to lifesaving medications.
"The Freytag's generosity will help us build on the momentum of our collaborative, cross-campus efforts in biotechnology, one of CU's primary areas of research and a focus for returning Nobel Laureate Tom Cech," said CU President Bruce D. Benson. "Our scientists and researchers continue to make significant progress unlocking the mysteries of the human body and providing practical, leading-edge solutions to age-old problems."
The gift is another indicator of the rapid strengthening of biotechnology research at CU, which this year received a boost when Cech announced he would be returning to CU full time as a Distinguished Professor. Cech has been president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute headquartered in Chevy Chase, Md., since 2000.