Discoveries at OMRF led to Xigris, the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of severe sepsis, and Ceprotin, a therapy for people suffering from a rare and life-threatening blood disorder known as protein C deficiency.

Research at OMRF also identified the enzyme believed responsible for Alzheimer's disease and laid the groundwork for OncoVue,[2] a breast cancer risk assessment test.

[4] Sir Alexander Fleming, the British scientist who discovered penicillin, made his first visit to the United States to give the keynote address at the dedication.

An estimated 2,500 people attended the ceremonies, where Fleming pronounced the future "bright," even though the first building was at the time, in the Nobel laureate's words, "just a big hole in the ground.".

With a research-grade magnetic resonance imaging facility, OMRF scientists are developing methods of using MRI to speed the process of identifying and treating brain, liver and bladder cancers.

In 2006, molecular biologist Gary J. Gorbsky[13] and his lab were the first to reverse the process of cell division, a discovery detailed in the journal Nature that may have implications for the prevention and treatment of cancer and birth defects.

Esmon's research has led to the development of two FDA-approved drugs: Xigris, a treatment for severe sepsis (blood poisoning), and Ceprotin, a therapy for children suffering from life-threatening blood-clotting complications.

[17][18] The 'Teen Leaders in Philanthropy' class was created in 2012 to let up to 40 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors develop hands-on leadership skills and an understanding of what a nonprofit organization does.