In a groundbreaking move, Stripe, the prominent payment processing company co-founded by Patrick and John Collison, has announced the establishment of a new nonprofit organization named Intercept, aimed at tackling respiratory infections, including the common cold and flu. With an initial funding of $500 million, Intercept seeks to explore innovative prevention strategies, such as vaccines and advanced air-cleaning systems for public spaces like schools and offices. This initiative is supported by a coalition of high-profile investors, including Anthropic, the OpenAI Foundation, Bill Gates, and members of the quantitative trading firm Jane Street Capital.
Nan Ransohoff, who leads this initiative at Stripe, emphasized the societal impact of respiratory infections, noting that individuals spend an average of 5% of their lives battling these illnesses. Despite their prevalence, pharmaceutical companies have historically invested little in developing preventative measures due to the complex nature of the viruses involved, with over 200 different strains contributing to the common cold. Ransohoff highlighted that these companies often prioritize more lucrative research opportunities, leading to a lack of resources directed toward understanding and combating respiratory viruses.
The concept for Intercept was inspired by discussions with David Veesler, a structural biologist and vaccine designer from the University of Washington, who presented the possibility of developing broad-spectrum countermeasures against multiple viruses simultaneously. Veesler noted the advancements in scientific tools, including RNA drugs and computational protein design, which could lead to innovative solutions, such as engineered proteins that capture viruses before they can infect individuals. As the initiative unfolds, Intercept aims to leverage modern technologies in an effort to redefine our approach to respiratory infections, drawing parallels to the swift advancements made during the COVID-19 pandemic in vaccine and treatment development. With advisors like former FDA official Peter Marks and Operation Warp Speed leader Moncef Slaoui on board, Intercept is poised to challenge the status quo and potentially revolutionize the way society approaches the prevention of respiratory illnesses.
Source: Stripe, Anthropic and OpenAI are backing an effort to stop respiratory infections via MIT Technology Review