Danaher Launches Beacon Initiative and Its First Partnership Focused on Gene Therapy Innovation

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Nov 10, 2022, 16:15 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR), a global science and technology innovator, today announced that it has entered a strategic partnership with Duke University to form its first Danaher Beacon for Gene Therapy Innovation.

Danaher Beacons is a new initiative designed to access breakthrough science to create technologies and applications that will improve human health. The program invests in product innovation to advance external R&D strategies with a focus on genomic medicines, precision diagnostics, next generation biomanufacturing, human systems, and data sciences.

"Collaboration is key to advancing science. Visionary academic leaders are a primary source of innovative solutions for tomorrow's medicines, which is why Beacons is geared toward academic institutions," said Vanessa Almendro, Vice President and Head of Innovation, Science and Technology, Danaher Corporation.

Dr. Aravind Asokan, a synthetic virologist and Duke professor of surgery and biomedical engineering will lead the Danaher Beacon for Gene Therapy Innovation. The focus of this Beacon will be on product solutions that address bottlenecks impacting viral vector manufacturing yield and quality.

"We are pleased to engage with Danaher in a strategic collaboration to streamline the clinical translation and manufacturing of new genomic medicines," Asokan said. "Breakthrough innovations are needed for this field to fulfill its promise in meeting needs of patients and their families."

"Dr. Asokan's expertise, directed at the intersection of biology and manufacturing, is a great example of the innovative drive required to realize the promise of gene therapy. We are excited about the promise of our newly formed partnership," Almendro added.

The partnership began in late October 2022 and is expected to run for multiple years.

ABOUT DANAHER

Danaher is a global science and technology innovator committed to helping its customers solve complex challenges and improving quality of life around the world. Its family of world class brands has leadership positions in the demanding and attractive health care, environmental and applied end-markets. With more than 20 operating companies, Danaher's globally diverse team of approximately 80,000 associates is united by a common culture and operating system, the Danaher Business System, and its Shared Purpose, Helping Realize Life's Potential. For more information, please visit www.danaher.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in our SEC filings, including our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2022. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and except to the extent required by applicable law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Danaher Corporation