When you visit La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), you are glimpsing a remarkable piece of scientific history. Our Institute exists thanks to leaders who were willing to take risks—and a collaboration that spans continents.
“It all began when Japanese immunologists wanted to establish a nonprofit allergy and immunology institute,” says Toshifumi Mikayama, Ph.D., Former International Business Officer and Representative Director at Kyowa Kirin.
This mission led pioneering scientist Kimishige Ishizaka, M.D., Ph.D., to visit Japan’s Kirin Brewery in search of a sponsor. Why look to a beer company? At the time, Kyowa Kirin was looking for ways to broaden its offerings, and the company had recently launched a pharmaceutical division.
The company was interested in R & D, but sponsoring a brand-new research institute? That was a risk. Luckily, Kyowa Kirin took the leap and decided to support the institute as a philanthropic activity.
In 1988, LJI was born. The Institute launched a world-class immune system research program—and a prolific partnership with scientists at Kyowa Kirin.
In 2024, LJI and Kyowa Kirin celebrated the 35th anniversary of one of the most enduring alliances between academia and industry. The two organizations have grown up together, and their shared vision has led to groundbreaking discoveries in inflammation, cancer immunotherapy, and much more.
“LJI’s partnership with Kyowa Kirin has allowed LJI scientists to build on basic science and discover promising drug candidates and therapies,” says LJI Professor, President & CEO Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. , MBA. “We share a culture of curiosity and community, and we are proud to work together to train the next generation of scientists.”
This year, LJI and Kyowa Kirin renewed their agreement and announced a new research focus—advancing cell and gene therapies to accelerate novel treatments for patients with unmet medical needs. As the scientific world evolves, LJI and Kyowa Kirin will continue to make history together.
