A proposed Northwestern University life sciences facility designed to integrate basic science discoveries with clinical research is closer to fruition, thanks to a $10 million donation from alumnus Arthur Pancoe and his wife, Gladys.

The gift is in memory of the Pancoes' granddaughter, Beth Elise Pancoe, a Northwestern student who died last year of acute myelogenous leukemia.

"It is my wife's and my hope that as a result of the work done at institutions such as the one being established here at Northwestern and also at publicly owned companies in the drug development field, that cures for leukemia and other life-threatening diseases will occur," Arthur Pancoe stated.

"As a result, someday in the future, hopefully other parents and grandparents will not have the devastating experience of prematurely losing a child or grandchild."

The $60-million facility, to be called The Arthur and Gladys Pancoe-Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Life Sciences Pavilion, will house 36 principal investigators and 224 researchers. It will emphasize "translational research," a combination of basic and clinical research designed to bring promising cures to patients faster.

The center is scheduled for completion in 2002.

Pancoe made his fortune as a stockbroker, and his specialty is investing in promising pharmaceutical breakthroughs, the university reports.

Pancoe is also known for his environmental and world peace social activism. His record ranges from filing suit to stop the deployment of an antiballistic missile system, to testifying before the Environmental Protection Agency on the benefits of catalytic converters, the university reports.

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