Myeloma UK joins FasterCures research and innovation network

Myeloma UK has been selected to join The Research Acceleration and Innovation Network (TRAIN), a network established by the US-based FasterCures in 2005 to connect disruptive innovators in the disease research space. Myeloma UK is one of only two organisations outside the US to become part of the Network.

Myeloma UK chief executive Eric Low welcomed the news: “It’s an honour to have been selected to join TRAIN following a competitive application process. I am looking forward to working with, and learning from, other like-minded patient-driven pioneers who are aligning innovative funding models around the research and development of new, effective treatments in a patient-centric way.

“I think that what we bring to the table at TRAIN is insight into our novel, whole-system approach to addressing the critical barriers and hurdles that are slowing down research in myeloma.”

FasterCures programme director Kristin Schneeman added: “TRAIN’s patient-driven foundations are applying entrepreneurial philanthropy to de-risk translation and commercialization of research in their respective disease areas, and are responsible for some of the most transformative ideas in R&D.”

The Myeloma UK ‘bench-to-bedside and back again’ strategy identifies the critical barriers and challenges that are slowing down research, and the adoption of research results into clinical practice where patients benefit. By injecting funding, speed and efficiency into the critical steps of the drug discovery, development and approval process, Myeloma UK is transforming the way in which myeloma is researched, treated and managed.

Myeloma UK has developed a number of novel approaches to breaking down barriers and unlocking the potential of the myeloma research community in the UK. These include a Translation Research Consortium and Early Phase Clinical Trial Network comprising of a central clinical trial office and a network of 29 hospitals across the UK.