For its part, the Foundation has invested nearly $2.9 million into lupus research in the past five years. Dr. Karp explained that the AMP initiative offers an opportunity to expand the investment in lupus research and to pool the resources of the various stakeholders to hasten new discoveries.
He said, “It is exciting to think that not only could this collaboration lead to improved outcomes in lupus and RA, but that the lessons learned and information gathered, which will be shared openly with the scientific community at large, can potentially be applied to other rheumatic diseases as well.”
Following the briefing, Foundation leaders say attendees seemed spurred by the information shared.
Dr. Karp said, “We believe those who took part in the discussion saw that the AMP initiative and the push for continued federal funding of novel research ideas have the potential to yield major breakthroughs that will benefit researchers, doctors and patients alike.”
Sandra C. Raymond, president and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America, says the briefing was a successful first step in gaining support for all the work that lies ahead. “With the support of Congress and all of our partners, we believe the AMP initiative will ultimately lead to new understanding of the underlying causes of lupus along with new therapies for this devastating disease.”
Learn more about the Accelerating Medicines Partnership at http://goo.gl/7xxTxY.
Learn more about the Rheumatology Research Foundation at www.rheumatology.org/Foundation.
Learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America at www.lupus.org.
