Update on Translation Research
October 2008
Over the past year, MRC has put in place a new translational research strategy, coordinated with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), under the Office for the Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR) and its Translational Medicine Board. Substantial steps have been taken in underpinning key areas such as supporting developmental research, methodology, training, stem cells and partnership working.
The MRC’s funding settlement has allowed a substantial increase in these translational initiatives and activities, whilst continuing to support the basic medical research that drives it. We are working towards an integrated framework of research funding schemes, infrastructures and facilities, allied with highly trained individuals. This will deliver potential new therapies, devices and diagnostics, and the underpinning knowledge of disease pathways, in an efficient, effective and rapid way.
In the spring of 2008, we discussed our plans with over 20 UK universities, and listened to their own ideas. Responding to the exciting visions put forward to us, MRC launched an immediate pump-priming initiative to help universities quickly develop their translational research activities. This summer, we awarded over £16m to 14 universities across the UK, supporting the recruitment of key research leaders to the UK, making substantial investments in the UK’s research infrastructure, and supporting staff to deliver translational programmes.
The final elements of the new translational funding schemes will be in place by the end of November.
Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme
MRC launched the Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS) in April 2008 as the cornerstone of the translational strategy. This new funding scheme supports the development of novel therapies, interventions and diagnostics, and the research tools needed. Projects supported by the DPFS are milestone-driven with clearly defined outcomes and future value. The scheme was developed after discussion with universities, and is aimed to increase the range of funding opportunities available to MRC researchers.
More than 70 outline proposals were received in the first round, with 24 full applications subsequently being invited after consideration. The applications covered a wide range of potential interventions, including pharmaceuticals, biological / immune interventions, surgical and psychological interventions, and devices. Similarly, there was a wide spectrum of clinical conditions being addressed, with for example diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and glaucoma, as well as scarring, fracture and wound repair.
In addition, the MRC invited universities to apply for limited prospective DPFS resources, to pump-prime activities under this scheme. Decisions were taken in early August 2008 to support 13 universities, at a total cost of almost £3m.
Future opportunities
MRC recognises that there are opportunities for some universities to develop and manage portfolios of studies, funded through the DPFS route and similar schemes. Portfolios should allow more efficient and effective use of underpinning resources and infrastructure, ensure continuity of skills, create a better environment for training, and make the best use of project management and oversight systems.
We expect that a small number of universities, with a significant number of milestone-driven projects, will be able to demonstrate the capability and capacity to manage a devolved portfolio of such studies, with some authority delegated to them to take decisions on project progression or termination.
MRC is currently developing plans for how to set up, oversee, and review these portfolios. We will discuss potential ideas informally with a small number of universities, and circulate a draft framework of principles and conditions in late autumn. The first few awards will be in 2009: in this and later rounds, only universities with a record of success in normal DPFS funding will be considered.
For further details please see ‘Available grants’
Early clinical studies – to Phase I / II
MRC will also strengthen support for exploratory ’first into man‘ and early stage trials. For these complex research proposals, we will offer a more iterative and flexible route, with evaluation criteria and reviewing tailored to the translational aims of the projects. Applications will be considered throughout the year, rather than in special calls. Details will be announced in December 2008, and the first applications accepted in early 2009.
Stem Cells
The Translational Stem Cell Research Committee (TSCRC) is a new MRC funding panel that will work in both response-mode and focused calls for proposals. We will continue to support fundamental stem cell research through its research boards.
For further details please see ‘Available grants’.
The TSCRC will fund investigator-led research proposals in response mode, that have clear translational goals. Existing calls are:
- Collaborative programmes for disease or system-based stem cell research - £10 million is available for proposals that seek to establish high quality, collaborative research programmes with sufficient critical mass to make an impact in translating basic discovery science towards the clinic. The deadline for expressions of interest has passed.
- Pre-clinical stem cell research - £3 million is available for project grants addressing pre-clinical barriers to the therapeutic use of stem cells. The deadline for applications is 5 November.
Methodology Research
The new Methodology Research Programme, managed by MRC, is the main mechanism by which MRC and the National Institute for Health Research will fund methodological research. The programme will support both investigator-led and commissioned research, and develop strategic initiatives to help deliver the joint MRC/NIHR vision.
MRC and NIHR are working together to provide a range of funding schemes to cover the spectrum of skills needed to undertake translational research as well as sustaining the training programmes currently existing for biomedical and applied health sciences. Response mode funding remains a core component of this programme but it is complemented by targeted commissioned? calls for HEIs to train individuals in specific areas. Recruitment and retention of health researchers across the translational research programme is a major priority.
For further details please see ‘Strategic initiatives’
Evaluation and Clinical Trials
The large scale evaluative studies component of the translational research strategy is led by the NIHR on behalf of NIHR and MRC. It is intended to substantially increase the amount of high quality evaluative research and clinical trials carried out in the UK and, in order to achieve this, significant new funding will be available to expand these activities. The full range of late stage clinical trials will be supported by this programme, including:
- large pragmatic trials powered to demonstrate effectiveness
- trials evaluating outputs of the MRC-led Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme
- trials designed to explore disease mechanisms
- trials supporting and testing methodological developments
The key funding streams to support this range of activities are:
- ’Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluations‘ - response mode and commissioned funding streams will support ’science-driven‘ studies, and the output of the MRC-led Development Funding Scheme and Research Boards. This EME Stream is wholly-funded by MRC but is administered by NIHR. www.eme.ac.uk
- Health Technology Assessment - response mode and commissioned funding schemes will provide evidence of the clinical- and cost- effectiveness of either new or existing healthcare interventions. This stream is wholly funded and administered by NIHR. www.ncchta.org
Applications for global health trials should continue to be directed to the MRC – new arrangements will be announced in 2009.
Training and Careers
Increasing the UK’s capabilities in translation research will require more scientists trained in relevant areas of science, and a cadre of research leaders. The MRC’s plans therefore include enhancing training and career opportunities in translational areas outlined in our Delivery Plan. Longer-term plans will be worked up with NIHR and other partners, but early support for translational work will be provided by increasing the numbers of awards in 2008 competitions.
Key opportunities include:
- Further increase in numbers of Clinical Research Training Fellows and intermediate and senior clinical fellows (where relevant to the translational strategy). £1 million additional funding has been earmarked.
- Increased numbers for fellowships in informatics and methodology/biostatistics
- Increased award numbers for industrial collaborative studentships and for capacity development awards relevant to experimental medicine.