University News

Photos: UVA Celebrates Plans for Manning Institute of Biotechnology

January 20, 2023 • By McGregor McCance, cmm9vg@virginia.edu McGregor McCance, cmm9vg@virginia.edu

Froom above photo looking over the press conference in the Rotunda dome room

President Jim Ryan set the stage for Friday’s announcement, characterizing the coming quarter-century as the “age of biotechnology,” and hailing the new Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology as a crucial development for health care in Virginia. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

Leaders from across the University of Virginia and UVA Health joined with elected officials and an energized audience Friday in the historic Rotunda Dome Room to celebrate a new chapter for health care research and treatment in the commonwealth.

President Jim Ryan and UVA Health CEO and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. K. Craig Kent – accompanied by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other state officials – announced the launch of the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology.

Supported by a $300 million initial investment – leveraging a $100 million gift from the Mannings – the institute reflects a shared commitment to advance biotechnology research and development of potential treatments and cures for diseases, benefitting citizens in Virginia and beyond.

Here are scenes from the historic announcement.

Posed photo of Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert, UVA Rector Whitt Clement, President Jim Ryan, Diane Manning, Paul Manning, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin, and UVA Health CEO Dr. K. Craig Kent

From left, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert, UVA Rector Whitt Clement, President Jim Ryan, Diane Manning, Paul Manning, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin, and UVA Health CEO Dr. K. Craig Kent pose for photos at the Dome Room ceremony.

President Ryan talking at the podium during the press conference in the Rotunda dome room

Ryan credits Paul and Diane Manning for a “stunningly generous gift” of $100 million toward the new UVA Manning Institute of Biotechnology, as well as Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state elected leaders who worked together to ensure initial state support for the institute. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin shaking hands with Paul Manning

Gov. Glenn Youngkin thanks Paul Manning, while crediting his vision for health care in Virginia, during Friday’s announcement in the Rotunda Dome Room. “It does take all of us to get great things done, but it takes vision to get it started,” Youngkin said. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

President Jim Ryan, Paul Manning and Gov. Glenn Youngkin talking together

President Jim Ryan, Paul Manning and Gov. Glenn Youngkin share a moment following Friday’s historic announcement of the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

Dr. K. Craig Kent at the podium during the press conference

UVA Health CEO Dr. K. Craig Kent tells the story of two UVA Health patients whose lives were improved by gene therapy treatments, examples of the promise of the new UVA Manning Institute of Biotechnology to expand on such breakthroughs. Kent said the most exciting part of the new institute is “how biotechnology can save lives and improve the quality of lives for our patients.” (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert at the podium during the press conference

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert, a 1993 UVA graduate, recalls telling a House colleague that the research and medical advancements eventually made at the new UVA Manning Institute of Biotechnology could well save one or both of their lives – or thousands of others – one day. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

UVA Rector Whitt Clement at the podium during the press conference

UVA Rector Whitt Clement offers heartfelt thanks to Paul and Diane Manning for their gift, and to Gov. Glenn Youngkin and others on Grounds and beyond who worked to advance the new institute. “It’s a historic day at the University and we really can’t thank you enough,” he said to Manning. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)