Terasaki Institute and Keck Graduate Institute Form Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Southern California Biomedical Research

The Terasaki Institute and Keck Graduate Institute partner to advance cell engineering and drug delivery through shared labs and joint PhD training in LA.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 11:56 AM EDT

A Regional Alliance for Life Science Advancement

Two prominent Southern California research entities have formalized a long-term agreement to pool their intellectual and physical resources in the pursuit of medical breakthroughs. The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Keck Graduate Institute announced on March 9, 2026, that they will embark on a joint venture aimed at accelerating the commercialization of new healthcare technologies. According to Stewart Han, President of the Terasaki Institute, the partnership is designed to combine the complementary expertise of both organizations to improve patient care. This alliance creates a unified front in the competitive biomedical sector, allowing both institutions to compete more effectively for federal grants and private investment.

Interdisciplinary Focus on Next Generation Medicine

The collaboration is specifically targeted at high-growth areas of biotechnology, including the development of advanced biomaterials and sophisticated drug delivery systems. By merging the engineering capabilities of the Terasaki Institute with the clinical and translational strengths of Keck Graduate Institute, the partners aim to streamline the transition from laboratory discovery to real-world application. According to the announcement, the research agenda will also prioritize cell engineering and the creation of new medical devices. This interdisciplinary approach is intended to address complex health challenges that require expertise across multiple scientific domains, from molecular biology to materials science.

Shared Infrastructure and Reciprocal Access

A cornerstone of the agreement is the mutual opening of specialized research facilities, which often represent a significant overhead cost for independent institutes. Researchers from both Terasaki and Keck will now have reciprocal access to laboratory spaces, core instrumentation, and animal research facilities. According to Dr. Loren Martin, Associate Vice Provost at Keck Graduate Institute, this shared infrastructure is essential for fostering an environment where innovation can thrive without the constraints of limited equipment. By optimizing the use of existing libraries and high-tech tools, the institutions can maximize their research output while reducing duplicative spending on hardware.