$21.5 million for stem cell research in New York

Investment will help to develop New York’s new economy; Requests for applications for stem cell research released

July 8, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the availability of $21.5 million in State funding for stem cell research in New York State through the release of two Requests for Applications (RFAs). This latest investment underscores New York’s commitment to stem cell research and its potential to strengthen the State’s position as a national leader in biomedical research.

“The power of stem cell science goes beyond the translation of discoveries into treatments for devastating diseases,” said Governor Paterson. “By participating in the global effort to understand and use stem cells, we move our own knowledge base forward and improve upon our innovation infrastructure. These grants will bring opportunities that invest in our intellectual capital, create jobs, and help to develop our New Economy.”

Last month, Governor Paterson outlined his vision to make New York a global leader in the New Economy – an economy based on knowledge, innovation and technology – and cited stem cell research as an example of an existing innovative industry that has the potential to draw businesses and jobs to the State.

The $21.5 million will be distributed through two separate RFAs seeking proposals to stimulate stem cell research:

o Investigator-Initiated Research Projects and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Stem Cell Research ($15 million) – to stimulate and support basic, applied, translational, pre-clinical and clinical investigations on any aspect of stem cell biology that will lead to a better understanding of the unique properties of stem cells and allow their use to treat disease; and

o Targeted Projects in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research ($6.5 million) – to derive and characterize new human embryonic stem cell lines, devise novel and improved derivation methods, increase efficiency in the production of new lines, standardize protocols, and enhance their potential for clinical application.

State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., who serves as Chair of the Empire State Stem Cell Board, said: “New York’s biomedical research community has responded with great enthusiasm to the State’s stem cell initiative and already produced noteworthy scientific work. With these new funding opportunities, we expect to continue supporting the very best science that our research institutions have to offer.”

Governor Paterson spearheaded the effort to commit $600 million over a decade to advance stem cell science in New York. During the past year, the State invested $118 million from the Empire State Stem Cell Trust Fund to support promising stem cell scientists through the development of new infrastructure, research and training.

The State Department of Health (DOH) administers the stem cell initiative through the New York State Stem Cell Science/NYSTEM program under the direction of the Empire State Stem Cell Board. The Board’s Strategic Plan seeks to leverage New York’s $600 million commitment to help create jobs, recruit and retain world-class investigators, and serve as a stimulus for private-sector investment in biomedical and biotechnological industries.

Letters of intent for the RFAs are due August 5, 2009, and the applications are due September 10, 2009. The full RFAs can be found on DOH’s web site at www.nyhealth.gov/funding, as well as on the NYSTEM web site at www.stemcell.ny.gov/research_support.html.

Source: New York Governor