Ragon Institute of Mass General Brigham, MIT, and Harvard Celebrates Opening of New Headquarters

The Ragon Institute is a collaborative effort of Mass General Brigham, MIT, and Harvard to harness the immune system to prevent and cure human diseases. Founded in 2009 through the support of the Phillip T. and Susan M. Ragon Foundation, the institute’s initial goal was the discovery and development of an HIV vaccine. The Ragon Institute brings together scientists, engineers, and clinicians from diverse disciplines to apply all available knowledge to diseases of global importance. Discovery is catalyzed by providing these faculty with flexible funding, thereby markedly accelerating scientific discovery.

“Today’s celebration marks a historic milestone for the Ragon Institute and we are humbled by and grateful for the support and vision of Terry and Susan Ragon,” said Bruce Walker, MD, the institute’s director, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and the Phillip T. and Susan M. Ragon Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Most importantly, we are excited by the work that will take place here and the global impact it will have on those who suffer from disease.”

The new 323,000 square-foot space located in the heart of Kendall Square at 600 Main St. and includes lab and work space and is Leed Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. Designed with sustainability in mind, the new Ragon Insitute features outdoor spaces with an array of vegetation, blue roof systems that retain and control water, a green roof, as well as other energy efficient materials and designs.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of the Ragon Institute’s new headquarters and see its state-of-the-art labs, great workspaces, and energy efficient systems. This lab will save lives, advance our climate goals and change the world for the better,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “We’re so proud that the Ragon Institute calls Kendall Square and Massachusetts home, and our administration is committed to continuing to support innovation across our state.”

In addition to an academic and medical innvation hub, the Ragon Insitute will also serve as a community gathering place for local residents and will host a number of educational seminars, and community education programs designed to engage underrepresented high school and undergraduate students in medical science and research including the Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE) internship program and the Program of Ragon and IMES Science in Medicine (Prism) which features weekly progams, discussions, and activities in health sciences and technology.

“The cross-disciplinary collaboration that is the hallmark of the Ragon Institute is advancing transformative research and breakthrough science that will impact human health on a global scale,” said Anne Klibanski, MD, president and CEO of Mass General Brigham. “In addition to our research contributions, Mass General Brigham serves as the bridge between science and patient care. We are committed to bringing life-changing breakthroughs directly to our patients and propelling bench-to-bedside discovery to maximize benefits for the patients and communities we serve.”