Life science entrepreneur Gene Lay joins Scripps Research Board of Directors

Lay, founder of the global biotech company BioLegend, brings invaluable experience as an industry leader and innovator. 

January 03, 2024

LA JOLLA, CA—Life science entrepreneur and innovator Gene Lay, DVM, has been appointed to the Scripps Research Board of Directors.

Lay is the founder, president and CEO of BioLegend, a global life science company based in San Diego. BioLegend focuses on the development and production of high-quality antibodies for cellular immunity, inflammation, cancer, stem cells and other reagents required for research and diagnosis. BioLegend maintains research and development facilities around the world, including in Taiwan and Japan, as well as commercial subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Germany, China and France. BioLegend was acquired by PerkinElmer in 2021.

Earlier this year, Lay donated $100 million to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, which established The Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation. In bringing together leading experts and scientists, this center aims to develop new immunotherapies and conduct research on immune-mediated diseases, aging and cancer. Lay also supported UC San Diego’s bioengineering department with a $25 million gift in October 2022, which is now known as the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering. 

Lay has received numerous awards in recognition of his far-reaching entrepreneurial and philanthropic contributions. Tatler named Lay one of “Asia’s Most Influential, Taiwan” in 2021 and 2023. He also received the Medal of Honor of the German Society for Immunology, as well as the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the San Diego Region.   

“I am honored to join the Board of Directors at Scripps Research—an institution that has held an unwavering commitment to advancing scientific and medical innovation,” says Lay. “I am eager to contribute my industry experience and insights to help propel forward the institute’s mission in fostering a collaborative environment where groundbreaking discoveries can flourish.”

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