Harvard University is reeling from extensive cuts to federal funding by the Trump administration, but researcher Gökhan Hotamışlıgil has secured his lab’s future with a significant investment from a Turkish investment group. Hotamșličılıgil has secured approximately $39 million in funding over 10 years to support his research on new antibodies for obesity and metabolic diseases.
The financial commitment comes from İş Private Equity, a subsidiary of Istanbul-based İşbank Group. The group aims to transform scientific discoveries into potential therapies for chronic conditions related to aging and obesity. Enlila, a new biotech company, will launch in the US and may license these antibodies for human testing.
Hotamșličılıgil’s research focuses on FABP4, a hormone that regulates metabolism. He identified an antibody targeting this hormone, which could reduce blood glucose levels and fat mass in obese mice. With the new funding, his lab will devote energy to preclinical characterization of these antibodies.
The Trump administration’s cuts have also prompted Harvard’s dean to encourage faculty to pursue industry engagement as an alternative source of research funding. Hotamșličılıgil was in the process of renewing his NIH grants when the funding cuts came, which had a significant impact on his work.
While industry support is valuable, Hotamșličılıgil emphasizes that federal funding for basic science is essential, especially for early-stage projects. He notes that not every project reaches the level of maturity required to receive such funding, highlighting the need for a diverse range of support systems.
Source: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/turkish-private-equity-group-invests-39m-support-harvard-researchers-next-gen-obesity