Larry Ellison Builds on Legacy With Cancer Innovation

Larry Ellison has never taken the safe and conventional approach to life.

The founder and chairman of Oracle Corp. is a renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist and sportsman. He built his career on innovation, and now he’s bringing that drive to USC cancer research and care. His lead gift of $200 million will establish the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC, a center in west Los Angeles that will combine interdisciplinary research with the holistic prevention and treatment of cancer. It is one of the largest gifts made to cancer research and treatment in recent years.

“The new institute will invite mathematicians, physicists and other scientists to collaborate with cancer researchers from the traditional disciplines of medicine and biology,” Ellison said during his announcement. “We believe the interdisciplinary approach will yield up new insights currently hidden in existing patient data.”

Led by physician David Agus, who holds joint appointments at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the institute will house interdisciplinary cancer research laboratories and clinical care. Its collaborative environment will include a think tank, education and outreach, as well as community spaces that encourage health, such as a library and gardens.

Agus praised Ellison’s understanding of the need for transformation in cancer care and research. “I believe, with Larry’s support, we can advance our research to the next level, allowing the most effective treatments to benefit patients who are in urgent need of new therapies—today,” Agus said.