[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 28601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11526]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; Request for 
Comment on Proposed Methods for Avoiding Duplication, Redundancy and 
Competition With Industry Activities

SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for 
Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) invites comments regarding 
proposed methods it will use to avoid duplication, redundancy and 
competition with industry activities.

DATES: Comments regarding the proposed methods are due within 30 days 
of the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the proposed methods should be sent to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Public Health Service Act indicates that 
the purpose of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences 
(NCATS) is to advance translational sciences by coordinating and 
developing resources that leverage basic research in support of 
translational science; and by developing partnerships and working 
cooperatively to foster synergy in ways that do not create duplication, 
redundancy and competition with industry activities.
    Proposed Methods: In order to avoid duplication, redundancy and 
competition with industry activities, NCATS proposes to use one or more 
of the following methods that will allow the public, including 
industry, to be aware of its current activities and to have the 
opportunity to provide input: (1) Frequent updates to the NCATS Web 
site (www.ncats.nih.gov), which includes the NCATS Director's message 
and/or blog, listings of ongoing programs and projects, and 
notifications of solicitations for funding proposals for which industry 
may be eligible; (2) open public meetings to gather input on NCATS 
plans, priorities, and programs to which industry representatives are 
specifically invited; (3) discussion and gathering input on NCATS 
plans, priorities, and programs of NCATS activities and concept 
clearances at the regular meetings of the NCATS Advisory Council and 
Cures Acceleration Network Review Board, which include members of the 
biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and venture capital communities; (4) 
meetings to gather input on NCATS plans, priorities, and programs with 
industry organizations including, but not limited to, the 
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the 
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), and the National Venture 
Capital Association (NVCA); (5) regular presentations to and panel 
discussions with industry representatives at public conferences; (6) 
demonstration of non-redundancy with industry projects as a selection 
criterion for relevant NCATS projects; (7) promotion of partnerships 
through the publication of notices in the Federal Register seeking 
partners in Collaborative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) 
to facilitate the development and commercialization of technologies; 
(8) publication of Requests for Information on NCATS plans, priorities, 
and programs in the Federal Register and NIH Guide; (9) sponsorship of 
regular workshops to identify priorities and solutions of topics 
related to translational science; and (10) periodic release of the 
NCATS e-newsletter, distribution of emails to NCATS stakeholder 
listservs, and announcements on NCATS Facebook page and through the 
NCATS Twitter account. In addition, the community will be able to 
inquire and comment on NCATS activities at any time by sending an email 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further details please contact 
Stephen Seidel, Acting Director, Office of Policy, National Center for 
Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 900, 
Bethesda, MD 20892-4874; 301-435-0866; Email: [email protected].

    Dated: May 8, 2013.
Christopher P. Austin,
Director, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, 
National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2013-11526 Filed 5-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P