Local Philanthropist John Moores Gifts $2M to Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute announced Wednesday that local philanthropist John Moores gifted $2 million to fund the development of a new field test for Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, a parasitic infection that affects millions in Africa, Latin America and other tropical regions.

"We are grateful for John's generosity and foresight," said Scripps Research Institute President and CEO Michael A. Marletta said in a statement. "This gift has the potential to revolutionize treatment of a disease that causes widespread suffering in the developing world. We are fortunate to have John as a long-time supporter who recognizes the impact our science can have to improve human health."

This is not the first large gift Moores, the former chair of the board of trustees at Scripps Research Institute, has gifted to the research institute. In 2005, he gifted $4 million.

Onchocerciasis infections are transmitted among humans by river-dwelling blackflies in tropical regions, according to the research institute. It explained that the major symptoms of the disease, including blindness, result from the spread of O. volvulus “microfilariae”—early-stage larval worms—to the eyes and other tissues, where they trigger damaging inflammatory reactions.