The Renal Disease Biomarkers Center of Economic Excellence (COEE)
Concept
The discovery of biomarkers is a clear window for developing new therapies that can identify a particular kidney disease, detect early renal dysfunction, predict prognosis or forecast the response to treatment for both acute and chronic kidney diseases. In the fall of 2007, the Department of Medicine’s Division of Nephrology at the Medical University of South Carolina proposed the creation of a Center of Economic Excellence in Renal Disease Biomarkers. In June 2008, the Division received notification that the proposal had been approved. A major component of the center is a consortium of Nephrologists interested in participating in clinical and translational research. We would like to provide some background information on this unique opportunity. Centers of Economic Excellence
Each year, South Carolina’s (SC) legislature sets aside $30,000,000 from the SC Education Lottery to provide matching dollars for the state’s three research institutions. These funds are to be used to fund endowed chairs that will allow the university to recruit outstanding translational scientists to our state. These endowed chairs are created within a framework called a Center of Economic Excellence (COEE). These COEEs are selected for funding on the basis of both scientific and economic impact after a lengthy review process. Most COEEs are approved with a budget of $10,000,000, with the sponsoring university raising $5,000,000 and the state matching that sum dollar-for-dollar. The university has an 18-month timeline for securing pledge commitments. Pledges can be fulfilled within five years. The deadline for securing pledges for the COEE in Renal Disease Biomarkers is December 2009. | |
MUSC’s Center of Economic Excellence (COEE) in Renal Disease Biomarkers
The COEE in Renal Disease Biomarkers will develop ways to identify, isolate, and interpret the specific protein molecules that could yield in early diagnosis of both acute and chronic kidney diseases. The center will integrate with the ongoing biomarker discovery activities in the Nephrology Proteomics Center. Biomarkers are proteins or other molecules that can be used to predict the presence of a disease or a clinical feature of the disease. The discovery of biomarkers that can identify a particular kidney disease, detect early renal dysfunction, predict prognosis or forecast the response to treatment would dramatically improve the lifespan and quality of life for patients with kidney disease and reduce the costs to patients, Medicare and society. Major improvements in the care of patients with kidney disease will not occur until biomarkers are identified and validated to guide development of new therapies and identify appropriate patients to receive these therapies. The lack of biomarkers is the major obstacle to improving patient care.
The Southern Clinical Trials Cooperative
The Southern Clinical Trials Cooperative will help coordinate kidney disease research among Nephrologists. It will have two related functions. First it will facilitate collection of samples and clinical data for biomarker discovery. Second, it will be a way for Physician-Investigators to participate as a group in clinical trials sponsored by Pharmaceutical Companies, Device Manufacturers and the NIH. The biomarker discovery components will be funded through the renal disease biomarkers COEE and will integrate with the South Carolina Translational Research Institute (SCTR). SCTR is a Federally-funded program focused largely on integrating community and University research. The clinical trials component will facilitate more involvement of Physician-Investigators from participating practices and participation in larger numbers of studies. We are currently recruiting Physician-Investigators interested in participating in this cooperative. Components of Renal Disease Biomarkers COEE
The success of the COEE will result in a fully funded Center which will house two endowed chairs and the Nephrology consortium. It will expand the already significant research base in renal biomarker discovery. One chair will be the Endowed Chair in Renal Biomarkers, and the other, the Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Renal Research. Each chair will have a value of $2 million which will be used to recruit and retain outstanding clinicians and investigators to aid in biomarker discovery. It is truly remarkable and cutting-edge and we hope you will become a part of the success. Make a Gift
Contributions may be made payable to MUSC Foundation–COEE Renal Disease Biomarkers. To make a gift please print a gift form and mail it to Jane McCullough, Director of Development, Department of Medicine, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 803CSB, Charleston, SC 29425. Pledges may be made for a multi-year period not to exceed five years. Other giving options to consider include donating appreciate assets such as stocks, bonds, or real estate. Our development staff would be pleased to work with you and your financial advisors on the best way for you to make a charitable contribution to assist our efforts and enhance your tax advantages. For more information please see our naming opportunities. Contact
For more information, please contact Jane McCullough at (843) 792-7694 or (800) 810-9872 or e-mail at mcculloj@musc.edu. More detailed information on this project is available as well as opportunities to meet with the scientific leaders in the Division of Nephrology whose vision has created the Renal Disease Biomarkers Center of Economic Excellence. Thank You
Thank you for your consideration of supporting this effort. Please know that any level of contribution will help us reach this very lofty goal. Thank you for giving hope to patients with kidney disease and an opportunity to enhance the future of public health in South Carolina and other areas across the United States. You are making hope a reality by giving. Thank you. | 
