On 10th July, one of the richest business tycoons in London alongside his family contributed £3.5 million to Oxford University for facilitating further research into a potential Covid-19 vaccine currently underway at Oxford University.
Lakshmi Mittal, chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal is believed to be reportedly making an endowment for the post of vaccinology which is presently held by Professor Adrian Hill. Mittal and his family have sponsored a critical professorship in vaccinology which will facilitate vital research on outbreak pathogens including Covid-19.
Commenting on the family’s decision to endow the professorship, Lakshmi Mittal said, "This year has been a wake-up call to the world to be better prepared for pandemics, which, as we have all experienced, can cause massive social and economic disruption."
"Having always had a keen interest in healthcare, like many I was following with great interest the work on potential vaccines and treatments for Covid-19. After a fascinating conversation with Professor Hill, my family and I concluded that the work he and his team are doing is not only extraordinary but essential, not just for this current crisis but for other challenges we may face in the future. The importance of dedicated and ongoing research in this field cannot be overestimated and we are delighted to be supporting this vaccinology professorship at Oxford," Mittal said.
ArcelorMittal was also a founding member of the Ebola Private Sector Mobilisation Group, which coordinated response to Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014.
In 2014, Professor Hill led the first clinical trials of a vaccine aimed at controlling the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, kickstarting the initiative at the Jenner Institute to develop vaccines for outbreak pathogens.
The University will add £1.75 million in funding to the donation and create a permanent endowment of the post.
