The University of Virginia broke ground Friday on the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology, a historic milestone that will propel the University to the forefront of cutting-edge medicine, fast track the development of new treatments and cures, and transform how health care is delivered across the state and beyond.

The new institute is made possible, in large part, by a $100 million donation from philanthropists Paul and Diane Manning, for whom the institute is named. It also represents a major investment by UVA and state leaders, who recognize the institute’s potential to tackle some of the greatest challenges in medicine while driving economic growth for the entire commonwealth.

Officials estimate the institute will generate hundreds of jobs directly, and potentially thousands indirectly, by drawing biotech and pharmaceutical companies to a new “ecosystem of innovation” surrounding the state-of-the-art, 350,000-square-foot facility in Fontaine Research Park.

Read more: https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-breaks-ground-paul-and-diane-manning-institute-biotechnology