Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
What is the goal of the VITA Program?
The NHLBI funds translational research programs, such as the VITA Program, to enable and accelerate the development of promising diagnostics and treatments for unmet and underserved medical needs. Translation is the process of turning research findings into useful diagnostics, interventions, procedures, or treatments. It also involves sharing the findings with the public and health professionals to implement medical advances and improve public health.
The goal of the VITA Program is to support pre-clinical translational development of new diagnostics and treatments in the fields of vascular disorders such as aortic aneurysm; thrombotic diseases such as deep vein thrombosis; and pulmonary hypertension. Pre-clinical research involves developing and testing interventions using cell or animal models of disease; samples of human or animal tissues; or other research models of drug, device, or diagnostic interactions with living systems. Pre-clinical research connects the basic science of disease with human medicine.
AT A GLANCE
- VITA’s first phase included nine pre-clinical and early stage clinical projects from 2014 to 2016.
- The first VITA researchers published over 15 scientific articles from their VITA work during the program.
- VITA’s first phase led to 16 patent applications and helped license a new drug technology.
- The first phase led to two clinical trials and helped two applications enter the FDA regulatory process.
- The first VITA investigators have formed a new collaboration and one non-profit start-up.
- VITA’s second phase, which began in November of 2016, includes nine pre-clinical and early stage clinical projects.
How does the VITA Program contribute to scientific discoveries?
In 2016 NHLBI released its Strategic Vision, which will guide the Institute’s research activities for the coming decade. VITA’s mission helps realize one of NHLBI’s strategic goals: to facilitate innovation and accelerate research translation across the entire research spectrum, bridging basic to clinical, clinical to practice, and population to health impact. VITA supports several NHLBI Strategic Vision objectives.
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
How does the VITA Program work?
VITA promotes translation of research discoveries by using a contract mechanism and a milestone-based approach. VITA provides research and development contract funding and operational support for up to three years for early-stage product candidate development by academic researchers or small businesses. VITA supports a framework to enable the success of pre-clinical translational projects by providing funding and access to resources such as:
- NHLBI project funding and support
- An external advisory committee that provides guidance and expert advice for new product development
- A program coordinating center that provides project management support and regulatory advice
- An investigators’ forum for productive exchange of scientific expertise and collaboration
- Access to other NHLBI/NIH resources and services
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
What are the current VITA (2016–2018) projects?
Innovative drug/device combination for prevention of restenosis
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
Developing first-in-class anti-thrombotic monoclonal antibody
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
Novel drug-based therapy for treatment of vascular leakage
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
Novel anti-thrombotic drug combination
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
Novel non-invasive diagnosis of pulmonary vascular disease
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
Novel therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
New drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
Innovative targeting therapy for reversal of limb ischemia
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
Anti-thrombotic therapy with minimal bleeding profile
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Vascular Interventions/Innovations and Therapeutic Advances (VITA) Program
What were the previous VITA (2014–2016) projects?
New methodology and tools for monitoring pulmonary arterial hypertension
Raymond L. Benza, M.D.
The Allegheny Singer Research Institute
Innovative bioengineered vascular graft substitute for peripheral arterial disease
Allison Pilgrim, BM, B.Ch., D.Phil.
Humacyte, Inc.
New pharmacological therapy for vascular malformations
Ramani Ramchandran, Ph.D.
The Medical College of Wisconsin
Novel drug treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Lawrence Zisman, M.D.
Pulmokine, Inc.
New anti-thrombotic therapy with minimal bleeding profile
Xiaoping Du, M.D., Ph.D.
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Novel anti-thrombotic drug for deep vein thrombosis
Suman Sood, M.D.
Thomas Wakefield, M.D.
The University of Michigan
Innovative drug/device combination for prevention of restenosis
Michael S. Conte, M.D.
The University of California at San Francisco
New mechanism-of-action drug for treatment of hypertension
L. Jackson Roberts, II, M.D.
David G. Harrison, M.D.
Vanderbilt University
Novel therapeutic adjuvant for pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy
David M. Mann
Vascular BioSciences, Inc.