Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Biomarkers consortium launches website to accept proposals, provide funding updates

[Source: GenomeWeb staff reporter] -- The Biomarkers Consortium today said it has launched a website that can be used to submit biomarker project concepts, to obtain funding information, as a contact point, and for updated news about the consortium’s activities. The consortium is a research partnership managed by the National Institutes of Health and funded by contributing members. It comprises 28 public and private partners including companies, patient advocacy organizations, government groups, and non-profit institutions.

The website provides a way for researchers to submit biomarker project concepts to therapeutic area steering committees. The first three steering committees comprise experts in neuroscience, metabolic disorders, and cancer. A fourth steering committee in inflammation and immunity is being assembled. When approved, concepts are developed into formal project proposals and, when approved by the consortium’s executive committee, the Foundation for NIH will seek the funds to implement them, according to the consortium. To date, more than $6 million has been raised to support the consortium’s lung cancer and lymphoma biomarker projects, the consortium said.

Founded in late 2006, the consortium aims to promote groups looking to accelerate delivery of technologies, medicines, and therapies that can help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat diseases. “In time, we will expand the website’s coverage to include a members-only section, and provide comprehensive information about biomarkers, such as cutting edge research from the scientific and regulatory community,” said Anthony Altar, the consortium’s director.

Link: http://www.biomarkersconsortium.org/

No comments: