The Foundation for NIH creates public-private research partnerships to respond rapidly and nimbly to NIH research needs that are immediate and pressing. These biomedical research projects bring the public sector (NIH) and the private sector (pharmaceutical, biotech and other companies, private foundations, individual donors, and academia) together to solve a common goal and to accelerate research that might not be possible for any one entity to conduct alone.

By pooling the scientific, technological, and monetary resources required for solving persistent health challenges; the foundation helps scientists discover novel approaches in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Collaboration on novel biomarker discoveries, for example, can lead more quickly and cost-effectively to therapies and treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, AIDS and Osteoarthritis.

Currently, the foundation manages or facilitates more than 100 ongoing research partnerships.

Partnership Opportunities

Kidney Safety Biomarker Qualification

This kidney safety project will impact public health by generating the data needed to advance, among the scientific community, clinicians and regulators the acceptance of the new biomarkers that are appropriate for monitoring kidney safety in the clinic and from reaching alignment on how these biomarkers should be used to improve clinical diagnoses of drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) during drug development and during patient therapy with presently marketed and well known nephrotoxic drugs. Learn more >>

SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study (SPIROMICS)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that makes it difficult for sufferers to breath, causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Affecting as many as 24 million people in the United States, the disease gradually worsens over time and is currently without a cure. Existing treatments can provide only moderate relief of symptoms. Learn more >>

Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) II

As many as 5.3 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease.  Today there is no cure, no disease-modifying treatment, and no way to prevent the disease. ADNI II aims to build on the success of ADNI - NIH's largest public-private partnership on brain research, which is scheduled to conclude in 2010. Learn more >>

Mutational Analysis of the Melanoma Genome

Metastatic melanoma develops through acquired mutations in cancer genes.  To date, a handful of genes are known to acquire mutations and contribute to melanoma progression, however many more remain to be discovered.  Comprehensive cancer genome sequencing can identify recurring genetic alterations that will generate fundamentally new, targeted approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. Learn more >>

The Heart Valve Exhibit: The Issue Was Patients: Developing Heart Valve Replacements

The Heart Valve Exhibit: The Issue Was Patients: Developing Heart Valve Replacements is a physical exhibit and website that showcases the development of the heart valve, the NIH’s role in its development, and the FDA’s role in regulations. Learn more >>

Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) II

Working in collaboration, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the and the private sector are striving to improve the efficiency of drug development and clinical trials for the treatment of osteoarthritis. In 2009, the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) began extended follow-up of its study cohort for an additional six years (OAI II). Learn more >>

Drug Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN)

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) created the Drug Induced Liver Injury Network to collect and carefully analyze cases of liver injury caused by prescription and non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements and herbal remedies. Learn more>>