Senator McCormick Hosts NIH Director for Visit to University of Pennsylvania

Tour Showcases Pennsylvania's Role at the Forefront of Life Sciences Innovation

PHILADELPHIA, PA - U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) today hosted National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya for a full-day visit to Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where they met with researchers, clinicians, and innovators advancing some of the nation's most groundbreaking biomedical research. The visit underscored how federal research investment supports lifesaving medical breakthroughs, strengthens America's global leadership in science, and drives economic growth across Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania is helping lead the future of life sciences, and it was an honor to welcome Director Bhattacharya to Philadelphia to see that work up close," said Senator McCormick. "At Penn, researchers are translating cutting-edge science into real treatments that are saving lives and giving families hope. With world-class institutions, talented researchers, and emerging tools and technologies like artificial intelligence accelerating discovery, Pennsylvania is well positioned to continue leading the next generation of medical innovation."

"As I said yesterday, Pennsylvania shows what's possible when regional collaboration is focused on saving lives, and it's a model for how NIH investment turns scientific discovery into real care for patients. I've been especially inspired by Baby KJ, whose rare genetic disorder was treated using personalized gene editing developed right here at Penn and CHOP. It's a powerful reminder that when NIH backs bold science, breakthroughs once thought impossible can become reality. We also saw where CAR-T therapy was first used to treat blood cancers. Not long ago, that work struggled to secure funding, and today, it's one of the most important advances in cancer treatment. That's why we're expanding opportunities for innovative, high-impact research through NIH's Unified Funding Strategy; so promising but unproven ideas have a real chance to succeed, and NIH investment can continue to save lives and pave the way for what comes next," said NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

"Like Penn's tightly integrated campus, what sets Philadelphia's eds and meds apart is our critical mass of expertise and pioneering research - all nearby, in sync, and of service to all Pennsylvanians," said Penn President J. Larry Jameson. "We were honored to welcome Senator McCormick and Dr. Bhattacharya and showcase how our historic partnerships continue advancing our Commonwealth and country, while also discussing innovative ways to drive progress for the future."

Part of a two-day visit with NIH Director Bhattacharya, Senator McCormick convened researchers, clinicians, university leaders, and innovators to highlight how NIH-supported research is driving medical progress and strengthening Pennsylvania's life sciences ecosystem.

At the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Senator McCormick and Director Bhattacharya observed how Penn Medicine integrates patient care with clinical research to accelerate "bench-to-bedside" breakthroughs. Close connections among Penn Medicine's hospitals and research centers - as well as with Penn's other schools like Penn Nursing, Engineering, Penn Dental, Veterinary Medicine, and Arts and Sciences - create a powerful research ecosystem where NIH-funded investigators develop new therapies and models of care.

Senator McCormick and Director Bhattacharya also toured a CAR-T cell therapy laboratory, where they met with Dr. Carl June and discussed the groundbreaking workin this personalized cell therapy - in which patients' own immune cells are engineered to fight their cancers - pioneered at Penn. The discussion highlighted how early federal research investment helped establish the scientific foundation for cell and gene therapies, which are now transforming patient care and offering new hope to those with previously untreatable diseases. Throughout the tour, Senator McCormick and Director Bhattacharya also heard from patients and families about the real-world impact of these medical breakthroughs.

The day concluded with a roundtable discussion with regional partners focused on the future of biomedical innovation, including how federal research partnerships can continue to accelerate discovery, support biotechnology commercialization, and expand access to life-saving treatments.

The University of Pennsylvania is consistently among the top recipients of NIH funding nationwide, receiving $723 million in NIH support in FY2025, ranking fifth nationally. Penn's NIH-funded research spans critical areas including cancer, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, aging, population health, and health services research, along with leading work in genomics, gene and cell therapy, and bioengineering.

Pennsylvania ranks as the fourth largest recipient of NIH funding in the nation, receiving $2.27 billion in federal research funding in FY2025. Statewide, NIH investment supports more than 21,000 research jobs and generates $5.31 billion in annual economic activity.

NIH-driven innovation has also helped launch thousands of businesses and nearly 100,000 biopharmaceutical jobs across the Commonwealth. For every dollar invested in NIH research, $2.56 flows back into the economy, delivering a strong return for American taxpayers.

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