GSK donates $5 million to U of A virology institute

GlaxoSmithKline Inc (GSK) has made a $5-million donation to the Univ of Alberta's faculty of medicine and dentistry in support of virology research being conducted at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology (formerly Glaxo Heritage Research Institute of Virology). The donation establishes the GSK Virology Research Support Endowment Fund to help sustain the institute's operations. It is the largest donation GSK has given to a Canadian academic institution and follows several contributions it has made to the faculty in the past 23 years. The institute was renamed this year following a $28-million donation from the Li Ka Shing Canada Foundation (R$, May 21/10). Dr Lorne Tyrrell is the institute's director and also holds the GSK chair in virology.