health
Bill Ackman's $400 million brain institute was inspired by his daughter—and built outside elite universities, which he says are losing talent
Five years ago, Bill Ackman said it would have been too hard to lure top scientists away from universities. Now, he thinks the balance of power has shifted.
TL;DR
- Bill Ackman and Neri Oxman are donating approximately $400 million to establish the Ackman Oxman Institute (AOI), a Manhattan neuroscience and longevity center.
- Ackman believes universities are becoming less attractive to elite researchers due to factors like campus politics and declining funding, facilitating recruitment for AOI.
- AOI aims to be patient-centric, focusing on translating scientific discoveries into treatments and devices, rather than solely producing academic papers.
- The institute's mission was partly inspired by Ackman's daughter Lucy's recovery from a brain hemorrhage, emphasizing the brain's recovery potential and the need for advanced treatments.
- AOI will operate with "highly commercial instincts," including a venture funding arm to create and seed companies based on its research.
- The institute will occupy a large physical footprint in Manhattan, potentially spanning up to 680,000 square feet.
- Key focus areas for AOI include neuroscience, rehabilitation, nutrition, clinical trials, longevity research, AI, and brain-computer interfaces.