RESEARCH
UNC School of Medicine, in partnership with UNC Health, is a national leader in translational research, moving discovery from the lab to patients with unusual speed and scale. Accelerating the “bench-to-bedside” model—the ability to quickly turn laboratory discoveries into new therapies, clinical trials, and health interventions—brings better treatments to more patients in less time.
In a typical year, more than $600 million in research funding helps to fuel and sustain research across our institution and health system. Individuals are enrolled in more than 1000 clinical trials. Faculty breakthroughs lead to dozens of startup companies and hundreds of active patents, translating ideas into solutions that improve health across North Carolina and beyond. UNC Health has recently launched a new initiative to scale clinical research trials across hospitals and clinical sites statewide, broadening access to cutting-edge care.
Collaboration among experts, investment in early-stage research, and the recruitment of top researchers combine to create a powerful engine for discovery and innovation. Together, these efforts quickly channel the most promising findings into clinical care—from CAR‑T therapies developed and delivered at UNC Lineberger to treat cancers once considered untreatable, to global health research at UNC that is advancing malaria prevention and treatment, and novel clinical trials that bring new therapies to patients across North Carolina and beyond
Across the spectrum of research, there are opportunities to deepen and accelerate what is possible—and this is where philanthropic support plays a catalytic role.
Donor-Inspired, Impact-Driven Discovery
Philanthropic support advances this work by funding early-stage research, pilot grants for high-risk, high-reward ideas, expanded clinical trial access, and the recruitment of leading scientists and physician-researchers.
We partner with generous donors to translate their passions and personal motivations into meaningful points of impact—establishing funds that accelerate discovery while reflecting what matters most to them. Donor support fuels innovation at critical moments, helping researchers pursue bold ideas, develop new therapies, and bring breakthroughs to patients faster than would otherwise be possible.
See what’s possible when discovery and donor partnership come together.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS
Expanding access to cutting-edge research is a defining priority for UNC Health. A developing statewide initiative aims to offer more clinical trials beyond traditional academic settings, connecting patients across the health system, including those in rural and underserved areas, with innovative therapies. By strengthening coordination across hospitals and communities, more patients can both benefit from and contribute to advances in research, bringing breakthrough treatments closer to home.
Offering clinical trials throughout the state will reduce barriers that can make participation difficult, such as travel distance and expense, time away from family and work, and more. As the initiative grows, it has the potential to expand research opportunities statewide while accelerating the discovery and delivery of new treatments.
DESIGNING AND DELIVERING NEXT-GENERATION THERAPIES
At UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, researchers are advancing CAR‑T cell therapy—one of the most promising approaches in cancer treatment that is now showing potential for treatment of other chronic conditions. UNC Lineberger is one of only a few centers in the country able to design and manufacture these therapies and deliver them directly to patients.
This unique capability allows new treatments to move more quickly from research into clinical trials, giving patients access to highly personalized options that aren’t widely available. Institutional investment has helped to build this program—now philanthropic support can help sustain and enhance what is possible for patients through this life-changing resource.
Targeting the Most Challenging Cancers
Triple negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of the disease, disproportionately affecting younger women and women of color. At UNC Lineberger, philanthropic investment has helped establish the Center for Triple Negative Breast Cancer, fueling research to better understand the biology of this disease and accelerate the development of more effective, targeted treatments.
