Marcus Foundation Pours $30M into USC Stem-Cell Research

The Marcus Foundation, established by Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus and his wife Billi, has donated nearly $30 million to support stem-cell research at the University of Southern California (USC).

The $28.7 million grant will be used for clinical trials involving gene-edited cellular therapies aimed at regenerating damaged tissue after a heart attack.

According to Jonathan Simons, chief science officer of the Marcus Foundation, 'Murry and his team have advanced gene-edited cellular therapy to the point that the time is right to support cells as living medicine in this new form of treatment.'

The Marcus Foundation has awarded over $2.7 billion through more than 3,500 grants across areas including medical research, Jewish causes, free enterprise, veterans, and children's welfare.