Accelerating biomedical innovation: a case study of the SPARK program at Stanford University, School of Medicine

• Published in: Drug discovery today 2017-07, Vol.22 (7), p.1064-1068
• Main Authors: Kim, Esther S., Omura, Paige M.C., Lo, Andrew W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical Research; Cooperative Behavior; Industry; Schools, Medical
• ISSN: 1359-6446; 1878-5832
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.03.015

•Translating medical research into new therapies is becoming more challenging.•The Stanford SPARK program is an innovative model for addressing this challenge.•The program is a unique collaboration between academia and industry.•Now in its 10th year, the program has successfully moved dozens of projects into the clinic.•SPARK is a template for facilitating the translation of biomedical research. Translating academic medical research into new therapies is an important challenge for the biopharmaceutical industry and investment communities, which have historically favored later-stage assets with lower risk and clearer commercial value. The Stanford SPARK program is an innovative model for addressing this challenge. The program was created in 2006 to educate students and faculty about bringing academic research from bench to bedside. Every year, the program provides mentorship and funding for approximately a dozen SPARK ‘scholars,’ with a focus on impacting patient lives, regardless of economic factors. By reviewing the detailed structure, function and operation of SPARK we hope to provide a template for other universities and institutions interested in de-risking and facilitating the translation of biomedical research. The Stanford SPARK program is an innovative academic–industry partnership for translating academic biomedical research. This article highlights SPARK’s model, which can provide a template for other universities and institutions interested in de-risking and facilitating the translation of biomedical research.