Wednesday, May 2, 2012

SC MedTransTech Issues RFP

The “South Carolina Medical Translational Technology (SC MedTransTech) Program” is a partnership of academic, healthcare, and industry organizations aimed at enabling biomedical innovation and transferring the results to the patient community. SCMedTransTech issued an RFP on March 23, 2012.

Current partners include;

·        The academic and research universities of the South Carolina Bioengineering Alliance (SCBA), Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina
·        Six South Carolina hospitals and surgery/diagnostic centers that includes Anderson Medical Health System, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, Greenville Hospital System, Medical University of South Carolina, Oconee Medical Center, and Palmetto Health
·        Stryker Corporation a medical and device manufacturer.

The RFP seeks research projects that can focus on devices, processes, materials, procedures, or approaches, and must be clinically relevant, innovative, scientifically and clinically feasible, collaborative, and have a high potential for rapid transfer to the patient community.

Proposals in the following research areas and medical applications will receive priority:

·        Orthobiologic treatments—Autologous/allogenic approaches that leverage the body’s resources and healing potential to treat musculoskeletal diseases
·        Treatment, therapies or approaches that expand the continuum of care—Earlier, less invasive, and less traumatic intervention for orthopedic and or neurosurgical patients
·        Investigator-initiated clinical studies on medical outcomes and economics—Studies that demonstrate the benefits of a clinical approach, patient flow logistics, product applications, cost reductions and efficiencies in the delivery of care and surgery, and/or impact on medical economics

The RFP supports two types of awards. The regular award is for one year grants for up to $100,000 direct costs and the fast track award provides for six month grants for up to $50,000 direct costs for projects that are close to proof of feasibility and have a high potential for short-term commercialization.

Teams eligible for the awards must include at least one investigator from a Bioengineering Alliance institution, and one healthcare provider or health systems staff member employed by or affiliated with a participating SC MedTransTech clinical partner.

Letters of Intent were due April 25, 2012 and by May 16th applicants will be notified if they should proceed with their proposed statement of work. The statement of work is due by June 29, 2012, and the target date to notify the awardees is July 27, 2012. The distribution of the grants awarded to organizations is targeted to take place by September 24, 2012.

Go to http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/research/ord/fundingops/medtranstechRFP2012.pdf to view the RFP. For more information regarding the SCMedTransTech Program email scba@musc.edu.