Jumpstarting Brain Tumor Drug Development Through New Approaches to Clinical Trials

As announced in late June, National Brain Tumor Society staff and advisors, working as part of our Clinical Trial Endpoints Initiative, recently met with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss how to “jumpstart” a pipeline for brain tumor drug development.

Planning has now begun on National Brain Tumor Society-hosted workshops that will bring together leaders from the entire spectrum of brain tumor drug development, including the FDA, which will seek to establish pathways or protocols that can increase the volume and speed of new therapeutic approvals. To learn more about this groundbreaking effort, please read the full news story here.

Industry, Government, and Academia Come Together to Advance Research

Earlier this spring, National Brain Tumor Society hosted the Advancing Research to Treatments (ART) for Brain Tumors conference in Washington, DC. At this inaugural event, we brought together over 100 brain tumor researchers, biotechnology and pharmaceutical executives, venture capital (VC) investors, and brain tumor patients to discuss the challenges surrounding therapeutic development and patient access. More specifically, the attendees gathered to better understand why a lack of brain tumor treatments exists despite tremendous gains in today’s research, bridging the dialogue between research and industry to increase understanding and move treatments forward faster. National Brain Tumor Society-funded researchers showcased their latest drug candidates in hopes of moving them to clinical trial much sooner. To view conference videos, download presentations, and access related publications, visit www.braintumor.org/ART.

National Brain Tumor Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael J. Nathanson as Chairman of its Board of Directors.

View the full announcement here.

Community Events Update

Thomas’ Climb Over Cancer
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa - 8/1
Help this father-son team reach their fundraising goal of $19,341 – a dollar for every foot they are climbing to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro – as they celebrate the son’s victory over cancer. Make a donation.

Rockin' for Rick Concert
Ennis, TX - 8/3
Enjoy an evening of great music, food, and auctions in memory of Rick Sparkman. Make a donation or purchase tickets.

2nd Annual Saving Lives While Trying to Save Par
Fairfield, CT – 8/26
Take a swing at the prestigious Brooklawn Country Club in support of the Oligodendroglioma Research Fund. This golf tournament also features an opportunity to play with a former NY Giants player! Register, purchase dinner tickets, or make a donation.

2nd Annual Evening with The Craig Thatcher Band
Whitehall, PA - 9/7
Enjoy an evening of great blues and rock music, food, and auctions highlighted by the renowned guitarist Craig Thatcher and his band. Purchase tickets.