Freedom of Information Act Office
IC Directors' Meeting Highlights
May 29, 2012
| To: | IC Directors |
| Subject: | IC Directors' Meeting Highlights — April 26, 2012 |
Announcements: Dr. Tabak provided brief updates on recent Congressional Hearings that included participation by Drs. Anderson, Birnbaum, and Fauci. He also provided a brief update on the substance use, abuse, and addiction task force and strategic planning activities.
Discovery New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Compounds: Kathy Hudson
Dr. Insel, Acting Director of NCATS, introduced Dr. Hudson to give an overview of a novel NIH-industry collaboration. Dr. Hudson outlined the scope of the new pilot program being developed by NCATS to explore new indications for compounds that have been tested for safety in humans. The program is set to launch on May 3 with NCATS’ first FOA for funding in FY13. Industry will provide access to compound data and grantees will look for innovative ideas for new indications. Dr. Hudson noted that this is a new model for multi-stakeholder collaborations.
$1.5 Million Review Policy: Sally Rockey, Joe Ellis, and Ann Hagan
Dr. Rockey introduced Mr. Ellis and Dr. Hagan to discuss the proposed special council review of applications from investigators who have more than $1.5M total costs of NIH research support. Mr. Ellis noted that the background of this proposal is rooted in the President’s Budget for FY13, as a means to address the realities of constrained fiscal times and the desire to support innovation. Mr. Ellis described the proposed guidelines for special council review consideration. ICs were encouraged to discuss the proposed guidelines and pilot the process at their May Council meetings.
Updates on LGBT Health Activities: Sally Rockey and Meredith Temple-O’Connor
Dr. Rockey introduced Dr. Temple-O’Connor to provide an update on LGBT Research Activities at NIH and HHS. Dr. Temple-O’Connor reviewed the recent IOM Report recommendations to NIH on LGBT health and recent activities of the NIH LGBT Research Coordinating Committee. The NIH Committee conducted a portfolio analysis that generally confirmed the IOM findings. The NIH Committee also used the analysis to identify potential areas of opportunity in LGBT health. The NIH Committee will release their report soon and HHS is also expected to release a report on LGBT activities as well.
Million Hearts Initiative: Janet Wright
Dr. Wright, Executive Director of Million Hearts, introduced this national initiative that is co-led by CDC and CMS. She highlighted that the goal of the initiative is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in 5 years, and that the clock began ticking on January 1, 2012. She noted that the initiative is serving to coordinate on-going activities across the federal family and to engage and enlist public and private partners in enhanced and new efforts to prevent heart attack and stroke. An estimated 47 activities were already underway when the initiative launched in September of 2011. Dr. Wright provided background on the severity of heart disease and stroke in the U.S., and the status of the major preventive interventions. She described clinical prevention and community prevention as the key components of the initiative, providing several examples for both. Dr. Wright emphasized the significant support by CMS programs, the public sector, the private sector, and States for Million Hearts.
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