NCATS supports innovation in new technologies and other clinical and translational approaches that may greatly accelerate the process of transforming laboratory discoveries into new treatments for patient.
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Research
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Clinical Innovation
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
NCATS is supporting research activities to address the novel coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease it causes (COVID-19). Learn about the projects that are cutting through operational roadblocks to contribute to new knowledge about COVID-19.
New Clinical Trials on a Chip Program Could Improve Drug Development Process
To improve the success rate of late-stage clinical trials of investigational drugs, the new NCATS-led Clinical Trials on a Chip program has awarded 10 inaugural grants to develop tissue chips to inform clinical trial design.
Rigorous Convalescent Plasma Clinical Trials Leverage CTSA Program to Expand Enrollment
The CTSA Program will play a crucial role in two randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating convalescent plasma against COVID-19 by adding study sites and enrolling participants.
Clinical & Translational Science Awards (CTSA) ProgramThe CTSA Program is designed to strengthen and support the entire spectrum of translational research from scientific discovery to improved patient care.
Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)The RDCRN is designed to advance medical research on rare diseases by facilitating collaboration, study enrollment and data sharing.
Patient RegistriesPatient and contact registries are key tools that help researchers identify potential clinical study participants, including healthy volunteers.
Clinical Research ToolboxNCATS supports clinical research tools that facilitate trial design, patient recruitment and partnerships for commercialization.
Clinical & Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program
The CTSA Program is designed to strengthen and support the entire spectrum of translational research from scientific discovery to improved patient care.
Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)
The RDCRN is designed to advance medical research on rare diseases by facilitating collaboration, study enrollment and data sharing.
Patient and contact registries are key tools that help researchers identify potential clinical study participants, including healthy volunteers.
NCATS supports clinical research tools that facilitate trial design, patient recruitment and partnerships for commercialization.
Work with Us
NCATS aims to address common barriers in clinical and translational research that scientists nationwide face every day, with the goal of delivering more treatments to more patients more quickly.
Contact the Division of Clinical Innovation
Learn more about NCATS’ Achievements in Advancing Translational Sciences.
Clinical Trials
NCATS programs support a broad range of clinical research, including clinical trials. NCATS authorization (PDF - 133KB) limits specific support for clinical trials only through the end of Phase II for all diseases and conditions, and through the end of phase III for a rare disease or condition.
Addressing Clinical Research Challenges
Researchers nationwide face common barriers in clinical and translational research that can delay the development of new interventions for patients in need. These challenges include:
- Difficulties in recruiting, mentoring and retaining a critical mass of qualified clinical and translational investigators
- Increased research costs and complexity
- Low patient recruitment and retention in clinical research studies
- Inflexible study designs
- Increased regulatory burdens
NCATS supports innovative programs, such as the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program and Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN), to help address these challenges.
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