Facts On The California Immunology Medical Research & Cures Initiative

Prevent and Cure Cancer, Alzheimer's, Heart Disease, and Other Debilitating Diseases – In Our Lifetime.

Research to find cures for major diseases in our lifetime

  • The measure will provide $8.4 billion in state bonds to fund cutting-edge immunology research to develop life-saving cures for the most persistent and debilitating diseases impacting nearly every California family.
  • Immunology uses the body’s own immune system to detect and stop diseases.
  • Immunotherapies are already saving and extending lives for patients dealing with cancers like melanoma, lung cancer and leukemia. Patients who have been weeks away from dying have received breakthrough treatments that have sent them into long-term remission.
  • Immunotherapies have the potential to prevent and cure a whole range of diseases including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, ALS, muscular dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis.1
  • The measure specifically designates at least $4.2 billion for research related to the prevention, treatment, and cure of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
  • Millions of families suffer when devastating diseases upend or claim the lives of loved ones. This measure will invest in promising immunotherapy research that can prevent and cure diseasesthat could save your life or the life of someone you love.

California can lead the way amidst federal uncertainty

  • Federal funding cuts and uncertainty are delaying life-saving medical research at California universities and research institutes. We are in a race against time, and patients and their loved ones can’t afford to wait.
  • This measure creates a stable source of funding for scientists and medical experts and accelerates the pace of discoveries to help the tens of millions of patients who are fighting cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other debilitating diseases.
  • This measure will make California a national leader in cutting-edge medical research, fostering collaboration between leading California-based universities, scientists and physicians.
  • This measure will bring further investment into our state, creating billions of dollars in economic benefits and tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. Scientific research has become a critical economic engine in California, and studies show that each dollar invested in medical research returns three dollars back into our state’s economy.2

Strong accountability & taxpayer protections

  • The measure is designed to fully pay for itself. Ten percent (10%) of all proceeds from the licensing of immunotherapies must be returned to California to offset the total costs of the bond measure, including interest.
  • The measure limits state administrative costs to no more than 2%, implements rigorous conflict of interest rules, requires all grant funds be spent directly on medical research, requires public disclosure of all spending, and mandates independent financial audits.
  • Funds can only be granted to California-based nonprofit universities and research institutes, and no funds can be given to for-profit corporations.

Reduces healthcare costs

  • Any cure or immunotherapy developed through research funded by this initiative must be made available to California patients at a 20% discount below the national average.
  • Preventing and curing the most pressing diseases will also reduce long-term healthcare expenses and save the state and families tens of billions of dollars in avoided medical expenses.3
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1 Why Immunology Research Matters, American Association of Immunologists, Inc. 2023. 2 NIH’s Role in Sustaining the U.S. Economy, United for Medical Research (UMR), 2026 Update. 3 Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions, CDC, August 8, 2025.