Dinakar Singh and Loren Eng

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Goldman Sachs, TPG-Axon Capital

FUNDING AREAS: Medical Research (SMA)

OVERVIEW: Dinakar Singh and Loren Eng move philanthropy through the SMA Foundation, whose goal is to accelerate the development of a treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of death in young children. According to available tax filings, the foundation awarded $1.4 million in grants in 2017.

BACKGROUND:  Dinakar Singh graduated from Yale University. He joined Goldman Sachs, where he spent 14 years and made partner and was co-head of the Principal Strategies Department. Singh is the Founding Partner of TPG-Axon Capital, a leading global investment firm. 

Loren Eng graduated with a B.A. from Wellesley College, and received his MBA as well as an MA in Education from Stanford University. Eng worked in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, merchant banking at the Lodestar Group, and as a director of business development at KKR’s media company, 

ISSUES:

MEDICAL RESEARCH: The couple are parents of a child with SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the leading genetic cause of death in young children.. The mission of the SMA Foundation is to accelerate the development of a treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The SMA Foundation is the leading funder of SMA research worldwide, and has spent around $150 million on basic, translational, and clinical research. It has also spent more than $30 million on developing critical, validated research tools and other drug discovery assets. 

The family has given millions to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where Singh has sat on the board. They’ve also supported Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons. Loren Eng serves on the boards at Columbia University Medical Center and Harvard University Stem Cell Institute and is a past board member of the Bank Street College of Education.

LOOKING FORWARD: Corzine held a 1.250% stake in Goldman prior to its IPO, netting millions. Now in his 70s, Corzine still has time to emerge as a major donor and should be watched carefully.

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