The first Major Donors campaign surpasses its goal a year ahead of schedule.

€42.5 million to advance research and improve patients’ lives

The funds raised have helped support the Imagine Institute’s four core objectives:

• €15 million to accelerate research and care for the benefit of patients;
• €7 million to transform scientific discoveries into treatments;
• €4 million to support children and their families;
• €16.5 million to train tomorrow’s researchers and support scientific careers.

In total, 32 research programs were funded, including five research chairs dedicated to major public health priorities. This support gives teams the means to carry out ambitious, long-term projects, develop new therapeutic approaches, and strengthen the continuum between the laboratory and the patient’s bedside.

Behind these figures lie concrete advances that are changing patients’ lives. At age 29, after nearly three decades of diagnostic uncertainty, Olivia was finally able to put a name to her genetic disorder thanks to AIDY, an artificial intelligence tool developed at the Imagine Institute. Two simple photographs of her face made it possible to identify Guion-Almeida syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder. This breakthrough illustrates the potential of artificial intelligence to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and enable patients to receive appropriate care.

On the treatment front, Dr. Laurence Legeai-Mallet’s pioneering work on achondroplasia, a genetic disorder affecting bone growth, has helped pave the way for new therapeutic solutions. This is a concrete example of Imagine’s ability to transform years of basic research into therapeutic opportunities for patients.

Anne and Henri de Castries Renew Their Commitment to Imagine

After co-chairing this first campaign, Anne and Henri de Castries have chosen to continue their commitment to the Imagine Institute. This renewal reflects their strong confidence in the new scientific vision led by Professor Bana Jabri and in the Institute’s ability to reach new heights. While the vast majority of genetic diseases still lack specific treatments, Imagine aims to accelerate the transformation of discoveries into therapeutic solutions, attract top talent, and develop the technologies that will shape the medicine of tomorrow. This new phase will rely on securing major philanthropic commitments for foundational and transformative scientific projects.

The most decisive breakthroughs require time, resources, and the freedom to explore new avenues. This is precisely where philanthropy can make a difference: by giving researchers the freedom to take scientific risks, explore uncharted paths, and bring about the therapeutic breakthroughs of tomorrow.

Anne and Henri de Castries: “The success of this first campaign demonstrates what philanthropy can make possible when it is dedicated to a rigorous scientific vision and a tangible impact for patients and their families. We are pleased to continue our commitment alongside the Imagine Institute to support its teams as they tackle the major challenges that lie ahead.”

A Unique Model That Affirms the Strategic Role of Philanthropy in French Research

Against a backdrop of growing pressures on research and healthcare funding, the success of this campaign demonstrates the strength of a unique model: that of a university hospital institute supported by a private-law scientific cooperation foundation, bringing together researchers, physicians, and patients within a single academic ecosystem to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into treatments.

Complementing public funding, the generosity of donors provides researchers and healthcare professionals with the essential freedom of action needed to launch, consolidate, and implement scientific projects of the highest caliber. By sustainably uniting patrons, scientists, healthcare professionals, patients, and families around a shared vision, the Imagine Institute strengthens its ability to invest in long-term research programs and accelerate their translation into clinical care.

This first campaign thus demonstrates that philanthropy can become a strategic lever for scientific sovereignty, by giving French research the means to attract the best talent, support the most ambitious projects, and develop the treatments of tomorrow.

Institut Imagine extends its heartfelt thanks to its founding members—Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, AFM-Téléthon, the City of Paris, and the Fondation des Hôpitaux—as well as to all the donors, foundations, partners, and volunteers who have contributed to this wonderful collective success.

Their trust enables us to advance knowledge, bring discoveries closer to patients, and pursue our ambition: to leave no genetic disease without a solution.

Research for every child, find a cure for all.

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