Two Boston researchers who worked together to create a coronavirus vaccine and a coronavirus diagnostic tool are getting a $5-million donation from Elon Musk’s foundation. The gift is going to Dr. Dan Barouch,director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Dr. Galit Alter, a professor of medicine at the Ragon Institute.
The funding from the billionaire head of SpaceX and Tesla will allow the researchers to launch a new project to study the inner workings of the coronavirus. Both Barouch and Alter helped develop a vaccine with Johnson & Johnson that’s now in a late-stage clinical trial.
“I’ve been impressed with Elon’s desire to learn about COVID-19 vaccines and his commitment to trying to make the world a better place,” Barouch says. “We’re delighted that he has provided this generous support for our program.”
Source:The Boston Globe