Translational Research Institute Drug Symposium Fosters Collaboration

By Nate Hinkel

Attending the TRI Drug Development Symposium were Sudhir Shah, M.D., Lisa Jackson, TRI executive director; Michael Owens, Ph.D., and Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D.Attending the TRI Drug Development Symposium were Sudhir Shah, M.D., Lisa Jackson, J.D., R.N., TRI executive director; Michael Owens, Ph.D., and Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D.

Curtis Lowery, M.D., director of the Translational Research Institute, addresses the gathering of UAMS scientists.

March 8, 2012 | Researchers across the United States face an evolving landscape of regulations and funding, but the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is positioned to offer its researchers some unique advantages.

Those were the key messages to 35 researchers at the UAMS Translational Research Institute (TRI) Rainmakers Drug Development & Biologics Symposium on Feb. 21. During the half-day event, veteran researchers discussed the challenges and rewards of leading their laboratory breakthroughs into the marketplace. It also was an opportunity for all the invited researchers to introduce themselves to the group and talk about their research.

UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., welcomed the first such gathering of researchers at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. He noted that while the symposium was focused on drug and biologics development, the researchers’ efforts fall under the larger health care system umbrella.

“We are operating in an environment where there’s an increased focus on advancing strategies that will lead to this triple aim of better health, better health care and lower costs,” Rahn said.

Rahn told the group that UAMS is uniquely situated to achieve those goals, with clinical and translational research as part of it.

“Science is moving us toward increased precision in diagnostics and therapeutics, and we need to be in that realm,” he said. “By positioning itself across all of our colleges, the Translational Research Institute is a key component of our institutional infrastructure, which will enable us to increase our research capacity. UAMS has all of the elements to be a real engine for innovation.”

The symposium was led by the TRI Rainmakers, a group of experienced clinical and translational researchers who are promoting multidisciplinary collaborations that stimulate translational research. The group’s members are Mary Aitken, M.D., M.P.H.; Cornelia Beck, Ph.D., R.N.; Marie Chow, Ph.D.; Michael Douglas, Ph.D.; Martin-Hauer-Jensen, M.D., Ph.D.; Michael Owens, Ph.D.; and Sudhir Shah, M.D.
Curtis Lowery, M.D., director of the institute and principal investigator, encouraged the researchers to embrace the changing health care landscape.

“Research is a big part of the change, particularly in community-based participatory research,” he said. “By taking advantage of the systems we have in place, such as the Translational Research Institute and the UAMS telehealth network, I think we can help speed change, induce change and develop new kinds of systems of health care delivery.

“I’m glad everybody is here,” Lowery added. “I hope we’ll be able to think creatively now and come up with new ideas that will allow us to lead the change and be part of the new health care system.”

Shah offered some guidance to conclude the meeting, telling the researchers that UAMS gives them the opportunity to pursue their dreams of taking their discoveries to patients with virtually no financial risk. He said UAMS also provides a unique environment in which they can interact with other scientists.

He also emphasized the importance of having a good team.

“Most people who are good scientists are terrible businessmen, so if you have an idea, it’s important to form a good team with business people who can help you,” Shah said. “Finally, this is a long battle, with lots and lots of obstacles. You have to be very persistent and you have to enjoy the journey.”

Anna Radominska-Pandya, Ph.D., one of the researchers invited to the symposium, was excited by what she learned.

“It was very, very interesting,” she said. “The biggest benefit was to learn what my colleagues are doing – what exciting research they are involved in. There are so many talented people; I learned who the major players are at UAMS, and for the first time I see the importance of the group and the business aspect of drug development.”

The UAMS Translational Research Institute is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). UAMS is one of 60 institutions in the United States chosen to receive the CTSA to help scientists achieve better, faster and more relevant results. The institute is providing resources and key infrastructure to researchers, including a data warehouse with clinical information on more than 675,000 patients. The institute’s research support also includes nurses, space, biostatistical support and dedicated to clinical research, and as well as expertise to help researchers move their research throughthe regulatory process. To address health disparities, the institute is fostering long-term partnerships with communities to help guide the development of meaningful research projects. To learn more, visit www.uams.edu/tri.