Terasaki Institute -

Terasaki Institute Innovation: Success Stories

Foundational science that launched an era of medicine and continues to fuel what comes next.

Innovation at its best moves beyond the lab to deliver real-world impact.

Our Innovation Case Studies highlight recent and legacy translational success stories where breakthrough technologies were advanced from discovery to commercialization, improving patient outcomes worldwide. These examples showcase how strategic licensing, industry partnerships, joint ventures, and other collaborative models have transformed scientific innovation into viable products and therapies. Together, they reflect our commitment to bridging research and application—demonstrating how purposeful innovation, when paired with the right partners, can accelerate progress and create lasting global health impact.

Founding Case Study

Our legacy in transplantation; the work of Dr. Paul I. Terasaki and the building of One Lambda (now Thermofisher Scientific)

The pioneer in transplant immunology that has ushered the modern age of transplantation

Translating Novel Technologies into Clinical Reality

Our legacy is defined not only by the past, but by the innovative technology and partnerships that continue to advance the field.

1984

Dr. Terasaki started a company, One Lambda, to sell products and equipment used in microcytotoxicity testing.

$50,000

The company was established from Dr. Terasaki's life insurance policy and it initially employed seven people.

$1 Billion

In 2013, One Lambda was sold to Thermofisher for $1 billion .................................................. ........

Today

Over the course of its 40-year history, One Lambda grew to include 225 employees, as well as additional technology and product lines used in transplant testing. Today, One Lambda has global distribution centers to service over 130 countries worldwide.