The University of Melbourne to unveil new centre dedicated to future pandemics

A new centre focusing on future pandemics is being developed at the University of Melbourne through the Doherty Institute.

Canadians philanthropists Geoff and Anna Cumming have donated $250 million to help fund and establish the centre, which will be named The Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics.

“This is an effort to provide the world’s best centre dedicated to therapeutics and pandemics to provide a second shield for humanity in the 21st century, that’s the primary purpose,” Mr Cumming told Neil Mitchell.

Only three centres dedicated to future pandemics exist, one in London, one at Harvard University in Boston, and one now to be in Melbourne, the first centre in the southern hemisphere.

“I believe this has the potential to save significant lives, but I also believe it has the potential to make society more resilient, more stable as we go through the 21st century,” he said.

Professor Sharon Lewin, Director of the Doherty Institute, was thrilled with the donation.

“Geoff’s generosity is absolutely extraordinary,” she said.

Press PLAY to hear the reasons why the centre is being developed in Melbourne 

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