After months of review and intense media attention, in August 2006, the second major piece of Lake Nona Medical City fell into place. Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (formerly Burnham Institute), one of the leading scientific research institutions in the nation, selected Lake Nona as its site for a new east coast research facility, providing the San Diego-based, non-profit organization with bicoastal operations. Scientists moved into their cutting-edge Lake Nona facility in May of 2009.

For more than 30 years, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has conducted world-class collaborative research dedicated to finding cures for disease and improving quality of life. Over the next ten years, the Institute plans to employ over 300 scientists and support staff at the Lake Nona site.