45+ years of discovery

After its inception in 1976, the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research received its National Cancer Institute (NCI) Basic Laboratory Cancer Center designation in 1978 and has maintained its designation every year since. PICR is one of 71 NCI-designated cancer centers in the United States, and one of only seven basic laboratory centers. 

The institute's “basic” designation means that it focuses 100% of its efforts on laboratory research and does not provide patient services. 

Milestones 

1976 The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research is founded 

1978 The institute receives NCI Basic Laboratory Cancer Center designation 

1981 Four floors of Hansen Life Sciences Research Building established as the institute's permanent home 

1989 Walther Cancer Institute scientific partnership begins 

1990s Development of Purdue Research Parks gets underway 

2004 Partnership launched with IU Simon Cancer Center 

2007 Timothy Ratliff becomes institute director 

2010 Ei-ichi Negishi is awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing new chemical reactions that allow for efficient synthesis of complex molecules used to treat cancer

2018 Walther Cancer Foundation donates $10 million of matching funds for endowments 

2021 The FDA approves Philip Low's invention, a fluorescent marker that illuminates ovarian cancer cells during surgery, enabling surgeons to more accurately identify and remove malignant tissue

2021 The FDA grants approval of Pluvicto®, a precision-targeted therapy used to treat advanced prostate cancer, invented by Philip Low. Shortly afterwards, the FDA approves the companion imaging agent, Locametz®, also invented by Low.

2023 The Purdue Center for Cancer Research is elevated to the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR), signaling the institute's priority within the university's research ecosystem

2023 Andrew Mesecar becomes institute director

2023 The Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center is founded within PICR to expand Purdue’s research into childhood cancers