Advances in our understanding of muscular dystrophies (MDs) have identified targets for treatment for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Indeed, several clinical trials of new gene targeted drugs are underway for each MD. Despite that, companies have identified several barriers to drug development including the need for biomarkers, outcome measures to support drug registration, and standardized site training to prepare for clinical trials. We formed clinical trial research networks to hasten therapeutic development for many of the MDs. In the current proposal, we plan to consolidate the project management and oversite of the research networks into a single MD Clinical Trial Research Network. This network of 15 core United States centers brings together national leaders in MD research, sets the stage for common site training and patient engagement, and allows for us to also advance patient care, by providing training and online resources related to MD. Such a research network can work with patients and their family members, industry, academics, and drug companies to overcome lingering barriers to drug development, including trial preparedness studies to validate better biomarkers and clinical outcome assessments for drug approval. Finally, by having such a large national effort we can train the next generation of MD researchers, to ensure continuity and excellence in care in the future.
https://doi.org/10.55762/pc.gr.157025
Grantee: Jeffrey Statland, M.D.
Grant type: Clinical Research Network Grant
Award total: $1,517,502
Institution: University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute, Inc
Country: Kansas, United States