FCEDA’s Gordon hails $50 million contribution to “visionary” Inova cancer research initiative

Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), said the $50 million contribution from developer and philanthropist Dwight Schar to launch the Inova Dwight and Martha Schar Cancer Institute will accelerate the creation of a genomic research center in Fairfax County.

Fairfax County-based Inova Health System announced the gift May 18 and said the Schar cancer center will anchor the Inova Center for Personalized Health that will be developed in Fairfax.

“The Schars’ contribution demonstrates that this is indeed a public-private collaboration,” Gordon said. “The acceleration of the program that this donation creates will mean that the programs will emerge more rapidly and the global renown of the efforts will spread more quickly. Most importantly, this will expedite the discovery of solutions to the individualized treatment of patients who suffer from these insidious diseases.”

“The entire region is poised to benefit from this visionary institution,” Gordon said. “The research center adds another element to the continued diversification and growth of the Fairfax County economy.”

Dwight Schar is founder and executive chairman of Fairfax County-based NVR, Inc., one of the largest homebuilders in the nation. Inova announced the gift at an event at Inova Fairfax Hospital that featured Gov. Terry McAuliffe and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine.

The Inova Center for Personalized Health will have three goals:

• Create the world’s leading center for translational cancer research and patient care based on genomic science and individualized therapy;
• Create a leading center of nationally recognized biotech researchers developing new tests, therapy and population health processes based on genomic science and bioinformatics; and,
• Stimulate collaboration of life-science companies with world-class researchers leading to the expansion of the life-science economy in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area.

The center will be based in a landmark building, near the Capital Beltway interchange with Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) that has served as the “downstream headquarters” of ExxonMobil since 1999 and previously was the corporate headquarters of Mobil Corp. ExxonMobil announced in 2013 that it would consolidate its headquarters functions in a new campus in the Houston area.

Time magazine called Fairfax County “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth and innovation helps Fairfax County fund the nation’s top-rated school system and other public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a vibrant investment capital community and a highly skilled, well-educated workforce.

The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Munich, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv.

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