Forbes Institute for Cancer Discovery

Max Wicha, MD

The end of cancer begins here

The Forbes Institute for Cancer Discovery empowers scientists across U-M to pursue high-risk, high-reward projects with the potential to advance research from the laboratory to the clinic. By providing bold, cross-departmental funding opportunities, we are fueling new and innovative approaches to prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

Founded by Sidney and Madeline Forbes, long-time Detroit-area philanthropists, the institute was launched in 2016 with a particular focus on translating the most promising laboratory research into new therapies that benefit patients. Led by Max Wicha, MD, it is a vital part of the Rogel Cancer Center’s research enterprise, providing game-changing grants to faculty to propel research toward cures.

Innovation. Discovery. Entrepreneurship. This is the way we are going to save lives.

Our Mission

Aggressively advance scientific discoveries to clinical applications that better prevent, treat, and cure cancer.

Our Vision

  • Catalyze scientific innovation, business, and philanthropy
  • Empower physicians, engineers, chemists, computer scientists, mathematicians, physicists, and others across campus to pursue high-risk, high-reward cancer research
  • Leapfrog lag time between new concepts, discovery, and optimization
  • Overcome the funding gap for translational research (while we are consistently among the leaders in research funding from the National Cancer Institute, only a small fraction of grants awarded by the National Cancer Institute support translational research)
  • Leverage the breadth and depth of expertise at U-M, which is unmatched by freestanding cancer centers

Impact Reports
  • 2023 Report
  • 2022 Report
  • 2021 Report
  • 2020 Report
  • 2019 Report
  • 2018 Report

    • Support the Forbes Institute for Cancer Discovery

    Through grants funded entirely by philanthropy, we are creating bridges from oncology to critical care medicine, pathology, public health, math, chemistry, engineering, and more. We are bringing all disciplines to bear on advancing new cancer therapies.

    Make a Gift

    Meet our Director

    Max Wicha, MD

    Max S Wicha, MD
    Madeline and Sidney Forbes Professor of Oncology and Professor of Internal Medicine
    Medical School

    About the Forbes Family
    forbes-institute-group-photo

    Longtime Detroit-area philanthropists and dedicated friends of the University of Michigan, Madeline and Sidney Forbes of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., launched the Forbes Institute for Cancer Discovery in June 2016. They are proud Wolverine parents and grandparents who generously support Michigan Medicine, the Department of Athletics, and the U-M Museum of Art.

    Sidney founded the Forbes Company in 1996 and has worked to create landmark properties and redefine the parameters of commercial development. The Forbes Company portfolio includes the Somerset Collection in Troy, Mich., and several distinctive centers throughout Florida. The family’s distinguished history of philanthropy in the Detroit area includes generous support for the arts, medical research, and education. Sidney is a director emeritus of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and honorary director of the Detroit Institute of the Arts. Madeline is a trustee of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit.

    Nathan “Nate” Forbes is the managing partner of the Forbes Company. He represents the family’s dedication to high-impact research on the Rogel Cancer Center’s National Advisory Board. He and his wife, Catherine, served on the Leadership Committee for U-M’s historic Victors for Michigan campaign, which raised more than $5 billion to support students, faculty, capital expansion, and the pursuit of bold ideas.

    News & Stories
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    Health Lab

    Nanoparticles genetically modify several human cell types

    In a demonstration that helps pave the way for gene therapies with fewer side effects, several human cell types were genetically modified with protein nanoparticles designed at University of Michigan Engineering and Michigan Medicine.
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    Health Lab

    Study sheds light on how early pancreas lesions become cancerous

    Why many precursor lesions never develop into pancreatic cancer, according to findings from Michigan Medicine.
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    Health Lab

    Phase 1 trial of alrizomadlin shows promise in targeting metastatic salivary gland cancers

    University of Michigan researchers, in partnership with Ascentage Pharma, developed a drug known as alrizomadlin, or APG-115, to target metastatic salivary gland cancers.
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    Health Lab

    Urine-based test detects aggressive prostate cancer

    Researchers at have validated a previously developed urine test, which can potentially bypass invasive procedures for prostate cancer detection among men who are unlikely to benefit. 
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    Health Lab

    New dual-target drug may help overcome immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer

    U-M researchers developed a new strategy to improve immunotherapy treatments for pancreatic cancer.
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    Health Lab

    First U-M patient receives newly FDA-approved stem cell therapy for sickle cell anemia

    Elijah Dottery, diagnosed with sickle cell anemia as a baby, becomes the first U-M patient to receive the newly-approved FDA therapy which involves using mesenchymal stem cells.