Activities turn research into treatment

2010 NEI/FDA endpoints symposium

Can measures of structural change correlate to visual function, then serve as endpoints in clinical studies to support the approval of new drug and device diagnostics and therapies for glaucoma?

These symposia demonstrate NEI's leadership in translational research, as recognized by NIH Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, during NEI's 40th anniversary celebration this year.

"The NEI has been central to advances in translational research," Dr. Collins said. "Its vision has allowed us to see farther and better and has enabled the NIH to attain its vision. Most importantly, the best is yet to come."

TMAT Working Group

Dr. Collins has identified translational research as one of his top five NIH priorities. The Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (TMAT) Working Group will lead the charge to develop a comprehensive translational research strategy.

The TMAT Working Group held 2 days of discussions in September with stakeholders about how the NIH currently coordinates its numerous initiatives regarding clinical and translational research-internally and with other Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, such as the FDA; other government agencies; the private biomedical research sector; and the patient and advocacy community.