Director's Message
Last month, I was privileged to play one of my favorite roles — laboratory tour guide — for Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a longtime and vocal champion of biomedical research. During the tour of NCATS' laboratories, I used three examples to illustrate our mission of developing translational technologies that will get more treatments to more patients more quickly. NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., joined our walk-through of NCATS' high-throughput screening facility and helped showcase our multi-armed robot, a machine that can perform tests of potential drugs in one week that would take a scientist 12 years to do manually.
Read more in the latest Director's Message.
Christopher P. Austin, M.D.
What's New at NCATS?
NCATS-Supported Scientists Repurpose Cancer Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
Senator Mikulski Visits NCATS Laboratories
NCATS Announces Funding Opportunity for Collaborative Innovation Awards
NCATS Plate Washing Initiative Saves Money, Plastic
Allergy Drug Inhibits Hepatitis C in Mice
Connecting CTSA Investigators with Small Business Opportunities
NCATS Hosts Event for NIH Researchers on Pfizer's Centers for Therapeutic Innovation
Drugs That Activate Brain Stem Cells May Reverse Multiple Sclerosis
The Risks in Academic Pre-Clinical Drug Discovery
NCATS Establishes Streamlined CTSA Task Force Structure
Austin Receives Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management
NCATS' Kaufmann Speaks at Translational Science Meeting
Collaborate with NCATS Scientists
NCATS-Supported Scientists Repurpose Cancer Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
NCATS-supported scientists at Yale University School of Medicine found that an experimental compound originally developed as a cancer therapy potentially could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease. The compound, made available through NCATS' Discovering New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Molecules program, successfully reversed brain problems in mouse models of the condition, and now researchers are testing the drug in humans. View the NIH news release. Read the full feature.
Senator Mikulski Visits NCATS Laboratories
On March 31, 2015, U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), a steadfast supporter of NIH research, paid a visit to NCATS' intramural laboratories in Rockville, Maryland. NCATS Director Christopher P. Austin, M.D., hosted the senator, her staff, and NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., on a tour of the robotic facility that NCATS scientists use for high-throughput screening of small molecules to find potential disease treatments. During the tour, the senator also learned about some of NCATS' extramural initiatives, including the Tissue Chip for Drug Screening and Discovering New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Molecules (New Therapeutic Uses) programs. Following the tour, there was a press conference at which Collins announced a New Therapeutic Uses advance in Alzheimer's disease research, and Mikulski called for a 10 percent increase to the NIH budget this year, with subsequent increases to grow the NIH budget to $45 billion by 2020.
NCATS Announces Funding Opportunity for Collaborative Innovation Awards
On April 2, 2015, NCATS released two new funding opportunity announcements for Collaborative Innovation Awards, designed to stimulate team-based research across the Clinical and Translational Science Awards consortium. Read the Web announcement.
NCATS Plate Washing Initiative Saves Money, Plastic
High-throughput robots help researchers run screening experiments quickly and efficiently, producing results in one week that would take a scientist 12 years to conduct manually. In the past, staff had to throw out the plastic plates used by the robots after each set of experiments, resulting in thousands of plates being sent to the landfill or incinerator. NCATS' Sam Michael found a better way. Read the full feature.
Allergy Drug Inhibits Hepatitis C in Mice
An over-the-counter drug used to treat allergy symptoms limited hepatitis C virus activity in infected mice, according to an NIH study. NCATS and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' scientists used an innovative high-throughput screening process to identify chlorcyclizine HCl from a group of approved drugs in the NCATS Pharmaceutical Collection as a potent inhibitor of hepatitis C. The drug now is being evaluated in human clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center. The NCATS team included Marc Ferrer, Ph.D., Juan Marugan, Ph.D., Noel T. Southall, Ph.D., and Wei Zheng, Ph.D. Read the NIH news release. View the full news brief.
Connecting CTSA Investigators with Small Business Opportunities
On May 13, 2015, NCATS, in collaboration with other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), will host a webinar for Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program investigators to learn more about opportunities available through NIH's Small Business Innovation in Research (SBIR) and Small Business in Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Academic investigators can find out how to collaborate with small businesses through the SBIR/STRR programs at NCATS; the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Experts will share unique pre-clinical and other resources to enable Investigational New Drug applications to the Food and Drug Administration. View the webinar details, including call-in information.
NCATS Hosts Event for NIH Researchers on Pfizer's Centers for Therapeutic Innovation
On April 13, 2015, more than 50 NIH intramural researchers attended a seminar on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, to learn more about collaborative opportunities with Pfizer's Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) network. The NIH-CTI collaboration is designed to help bridge the gap between early scientific discovery and its translation into new medicines through public-private resource sharing. Learn more about the NIH-CTI program.
Drugs That Activate Brain Stem Cells May Reverse Multiple Sclerosis
NIH-funded researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine discovered that an antifungal cream and a steroid used for treating eczema may hold promise as treatments for multiple sclerosis. The compounds screened in this study came from the NCATS Pharmaceutical Collection, and now NCATS and Case Western Reserve researchers are collaborating to expand the library of drugs screened against brain stem cells to identify other promising compounds. The NCATS team includes Kyle Brimacombe, Matthew Boxer, Ph.D., Ajit Jhadav, and Min Shen, Ph.D. Read the NIH new release.
The Risks in Academic Pre-Clinical Drug Discovery
Jim Inglese, Ph.D., director of NCATS' Assay Development and Screening Technology Laboratory, co-authored an article published in the April 1, 2015, issue of Nature Reviews Drug Discovery that outlines the risks in academic pre-clinical drug discovery. In the article, which is part of the series "A Guide to Drug Discovery," the authors offer strategies to mitigate risks in several key areas, including organization, target selection, assay design, medicinal chemistry and pre-clinical pharmacology. Read the abstract.
NCATS Establishes Streamlined CTSA Task Force Structure
NCATS has established a streamlined strategic communication structure for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program. Designed to carry out projects and move them forward, five new Domain Task Forces (DTFs) are organized around the following NCATS CTSA program priorities:
- Workforce Development
- Collaboration Engagement
- Integration Across the Lifespan
- Methods/Processes
- Informatics
DTFs will address several objectives outlined in the Institute of Medicine report on the CTSA program and the NCATS Advisory Council Working Group report (PDF - 414KB). The leads of each DTF will review measurable objectives, perform gap analyses, and develop plans for projects that fill identified gaps and/or advance translational science through innovation. Each month, those same leads will report to the CTSA Steering Committee on how their projects are moving forward. Annually, they will share progress at the CTSA principal investigators' meeting. All DTF projects will have defined timelines and outcomes, which may include shared practices or tools, suggestions for NCATS, or proposed publications. Learn more.
Austin Receives Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management
NCATS Director Christopher P. Austin, M.D., received the Earle B. Barnes Award for "innovative management and contributions to chemical research, chemical genomics and clinical translational sciences." The award was presented last month during the American Chemical Society's Spring 2015 National Meeting in Denver.
Austin's achievements include "establishing a creative research management structure and leadership that fully complements translational science at NCATS," said William W. Chin, executive vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
The Barnes Award, established by the Dow Chemical Company Foundation in 1982, is intended to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and creativity in promoting the sciences of chemistry and chemical engineering in research management.
NCATS' Kaufmann Speaks at Translational Science Meeting
On April 16, 2015, Petra Kaufmann, M.D., M.Sc., NCATS Division of Clinical Innovation director, spoke at the Translational Science 2015 joint opening plenary session in Washington, D.C., along with NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., and Robert Califf, M.D., deputy commissioner of medical products and tobacco at the Food and Drug Administration. Kaufmann provided updates on the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program, including:
- A new streamlined CTSA communications structure, called Domain Task Forces, which foster collaborative CTSA initiatives aligned with the strategic goals of the CTSA program
- Characteristics of successful translational research, including multidisciplinary teams, active stakeholder participation and broad use of data
- NCATS' new Collaborative Innovation Awards funding opportunity, designed to stimulate team-based research across the CTSA consortium
- Ongoing and planned initiatives, such as centralized institutional review boards, Good Clinical Practice standards, master contracting, and improving clinical trial participant recruitment and retention
Kaufmann added that the CTSA program is evolving to better meet the needs of patients by improving methods and streamlining processes, training the translational research workforce, and collaborating with NIH and other partners.
Upcoming Events
May
Webinar: Funding and Resources to Catalyze Translation from Lab to Patient
On May 13, 2015, NCATS will host a webinar for Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program investigators to learn more about opportunities via NIH's Small Business Innovation in Research (SBIR) and Small Business in Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. "Funding and Resources to Catalyze Translation from Lab to Patient" takes place from 1–2:30 p.m. ET. Participants can use meeting number 628 575 898 to join the webinar.
Second EATRIS Conference: Building Bridges in Translational Medicine
On May 27–28, 2015, the EATRIS (European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine) conference will bring together key international stakeholders in translational research, providing a unique opportunity to interact with a wide range of key stakeholders: patient organizations; research funders; and representatives from government, industry and regulatory agencies. NCATS Director Christopher P. Austin, M.D., will be one of the keynote speakers on May 28 during Session 4: Global Collaboration in Translational Medicine.
June
NCATS Advisory Council/CAN Review Board
On June 18, 2015, NCATS will hold a joint meeting of the NCATS Advisory Council and the Cures Acceleration Network (CAN) Review Board on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The meeting will feature reports from NCATS Director Christopher P. Austin, M.D., and other presenters about the Center's initiatives, policies, programs and future direction. For more information, visit NCATS Advisory Council and CAN Review Board.
NCATS in the News
- NIH-Funded Study Identifies OTC Compounds That May Replace Damaged Cells • Pharmaceutical Business Review • April 22, 2015
- Relapses Common in Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis • Healio • April 21, 2015
- Drugs Stimulate Body's Stem Cells to Replace the Brain Cells Lost in Multiple Sclerosis • Case Western Reserve University • April 20, 2015
- Drugs that Activate Brain Stem Cells May Reverse Multiple Sclerosis • NIH • April 20, 2015
- WCG Calls on 1,200 Member Institutions to Adopt Accelerated Clinical Trial Agreement • Outsourcing-Pharma.com • April 20, 2015
- Study: High Sugar Consumption May Relieve Stress • Monthly Prescribing Reference • April 16, 2015
- Recruiting Patients for Research? Simple Explanations, Queries from Doctors Are Best • Health Canal • April 14, 2015
- Nothing to Sneeze At: OTC Allergy Drug Inhibits HCV in Mice • Pharmacy Practice News • April 13, 2015
- Online Tool Aims to Increase Nationwide Clinical Trial Recruitment • iHealthBeat • April 9, 2015
- Could an Allergy Drug Treat Hepatitis C? • Time • April 8, 2015
- Allergy Drug Inhibits Hepatitis C in Mice • NIH • April 8, 2015
- Repurposing an "Old" Drug for Alzheimer's Disease • NIH Director's Blog • April 7, 2015
- Ongoing Clinical Trial for Anti-Cancer Drug Found to Restore Brain Function in Alzheimer's Disease Rodent Model • Alzheimer's News Today • April 7, 2015
- New CTSA Program Funding Opportunities: Collaborative Innovation Awards • NCATS • April 2, 2015
- Risk Factors Elucidated for Early Dose Escalation in Long-Term Opioid Therapy • Pain Medicine News • April 1, 2015
- Repurposed Experimental Cancer Drug Restores Brain Function in Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease • NIH • March 31, 2015
- Study: Cancer Drug Found to Restore Memory in Mice Holds Promise as Alzheimer's Treatment • Washington Post • March 31, 2015
- Mikulski to Tour NIH in Rockville Today • Montgomery Community Media • March 31, 2015
- Exercise and a Healthy Diet Can Curb Incidents of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Impacting the Latino Community • Latin Post • March 30, 2015
- Two Commonly Used Antibiotics Have Similar Cure Rates for Uncomplicated Skin Infections • Infection Control Today • March 19, 2015
Collaborate with NCATS Scientists
NCATS researchers are seeking collaborators in the following areas:
NCATS Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC)
NCATS offers biomedical researchers access to large-scale screening capacity and medicinal chemistry and informatics expertise to develop chemical probe molecules. These resources can help scientists study the functions of genes, cells and biochemical pathways. For inquiries or to obtain NCGC probe molecules, contact Ajit Jadhav.
NCATS researchers also seek collaborators for assay development and high-throughput screening, chemistry and chemistry technology, automation, and informatics.
NIH RNA Interference (RNAi) Initiative
Through the NIH RNAi initiative, NCATS provides state-of-the-art, high-throughput RNAi genome-wide screens for humans and mice. This resource is available only to NIH researchers. For more information, contact Madhu Lal-Nag, Ph.D.
Toxicology in the 21st Century (Tox21) Program
The goal of the Tox21 program is to test 10,000 chemicals and evaluate their potential to cause health problems. Any investigator may propose the development of biological assays for high-throughput screening. To suggest an assay, submit a nomination form (PDF - 44K) to Menghang Xia, Ph.D. Proposed assays must be compatible with the high-throughput screening guidelines described in the assay guidance criteria.