Tufts CTSI and Baim Institute for Clinical Research announce partnership

Leadership from the Baim Institute for Clinical Research (Baim) and Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (Tufts CTSI) today announced an agreement to collaborate on activities to advance clinical and translational science.

Under the terms of the agreement, the organizations agree to work together in areas of strategic mutual interest and support the intellectual exchange of expert consulting between both organizations.

The agreement builds on successful recent collaboration. Baim Institute worked with Tufts CTSI's Principle Investigator, Harry Selker, MD, MSPH, on the landmark NIH-sponsored IMMEDIATE (Immediate Myocardial Metabolic Enhancement During Initial Assessment and Treatment in Emergency Care) Trial (JAMA 2012;307(18):1925-1933).

The study of 911 patients, led by Dr. Selker, measured the impact of pharmacological myocardial metabolic support, in the form of intravenous glucose, insulin and potassium (GIK), for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes (i.e., a threatening or established heart attack). The study significantly reduced the composite endpoint of cardiac arrest or mortality - by 50% for those presenting with suspected acute coronary syndromes, and by 60% for those presenting with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction, the most serious type of heart attack. Also, GIK reduced the size of the heart attacks by 80%. Researchers at Baim Institute contributed to data management and conducted statistical analyses.

Additionally, starting in July, 2016, Baim joined Tufts CTSI and the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center as part of an NIH-funded national Trial Innovation Center (TIC) led by Johns Hopkins University and Tufts. The clinical trial expertise of Tufts and Baim will be critical as the Johns Hopkins-Tufts TIC supports the efficient and innovative conduct of NIH clinical trials.

"The Tufts CTSI and Baim partnership offers faculty, staff, and students at both organizations an opportunity to work on clinical trial challenges and introduces new educational opportunities. It also expands the capabilities of the Tufts CTSI Clinical Research Network, and makes it a platform for improvements in the design and conduct of clinical trials," said Selker, Dean of Tufts CTSI, Executive Director, of the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center, and Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.

For the Baim Institute, which recently changed its name from the Harvard Clinical Research Institute, the agreement serves as an example of the non-profit organization's commitment to expansion of its collaborative agreements.

"Baim's new partnership with Tufts CTSI is an example of our commitment to collaboration with the world's most highly respected researchers from renowned institutions," said Spencer Goldsmith, President, Baim Institute. "Through our agreement with Tufts CTSI, we will expand our contribution to clinical trial innovation. We look forward to continuing to provide research sponsors the best research teams in the world to help answer important health care questions."

Provided by Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute