Celebrating 5 Years of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology 

It’s been five years since the launch of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), a pioneering research center at the OSUCCC – James. 

Established in July 2019 with a pledge of $102,265,000 over five years from Pelotonia, the PIIO was founded with a bold vision: to harness the power of the immune system to to fight cancer at all levels — from prevention to treatment and survivorship.  

Led by Founding Director Zihai Li, MD, PhD, a renowned medical oncologist and immunologist in the ever-expanding field of cancer immunotherapy, the overall ambition of the PIIO is to be a leader in driving immuno-oncology (IO) breakthroughs. 

Since its founding, the PIIO has achieved several key milestones. PIIO researchers have developed novel therapies that boost immune responses to various types of cancer, from melanoma to lung and blood cancers. The institute has also led clinical trials that offer patients new, personalized immunotherapy options, improving outcomes and giving hope to those battling the disease. 

“Together, we are making a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families,” says Dr. Li, crediting the PIIO’s success to the collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and the community.  

In 2023, the PIIO expanded to the new state-of-the-art Pelotonia Research Center on The Ohio State University’s new innovation district on campus – a major step in promoting collaborative science and innovation. The labs at the Pelotonia Research Center cover a wide range of specialties, including cancer immunotherapy and computational immunobiology. 

As the PIIO celebrates its fifth anniversary, the focus remains on the future with a renewed sense of optimism and hope. With ongoing support from the Pelotonia community, the PIIO will continue to push the limits of cancer research to further advance targeted treatments and immuno-oncology for patients today and for years to come.