Discover the innovative work of NCATS-supported programs and initiatives.
3-D Tissue Bioprinting Program
NCATS experts are applying the techniques of 3-D printing to developing tissue models that mimic the 3-D structure and organization of cells in the tissues of living organisms.
A Specialized Platform for Innovative Research Exploration (ASPIRE)
By addressing long-standing challenges in the field of chemistry, including lack of standardization, low reproducibility and an inability to predict how new chemicals will behave, ASPIRE is designed to bring novel, safe and effective treatments to more patients more quickly at lower cost.
Assay Development and Screening Technology (ADST)
ADST is designed to advance therapeutic development through research and development of innovative assay (test) designs and chemical library screening methods.
Assay Guidance Manual
The Assay Guidance Manual initiative provides best-practices resources and training devoted to the successful development of robust, early-stage drug discovery assays.
Biomedical Data Translator
NCATS launched the Biomedical Data Translator (Translator) program to accelerate biomedical translation for the research community. Through this program, NCATS will integrate multiple types of existing data sources and reveal potential relationships across the spectrum of data types.
Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs)
The BrIDGs program assists researchers in advancing promising therapeutic agents through late-stage pre-clinical development toward an Investigational New Drug application and clinical testing.
Chemistry Technology
Chemistry technology experts at NCATS develop small molecules and screening approaches that other scientists can use to pursue innovations in therapeutic development.
Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program
The CTSA Program addresses the development and implementation of national standards and best practices for translation, from basic discovery to clinical and community-engaged research.
Discovering New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Molecules (New Therapeutic Uses)
The New Therapeutic Uses program aims to improve the process of developing new treatments and cures for disease by finding new uses for assets that already have cleared several key steps along the development path (also known as drug repurposing).
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)
GARD provides up-to-date health information about numerous rare and genetic diseases.
Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL)
NCATS is one of several NIH Institutes and Centers participating in the HEAL Initiative. With HEAL support, NCATS will accelerate the process of developing new treatments for opioid misuse and addiction and for pain.
Matrix Combination Screening
NCATS experts use a technology called matrix combination screening to quickly narrow down a long list of potential drug combinations and find those with the most potential to help patients.
NCATS Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC)
NCGC researchers advance small molecule therapeutic development through assay (test) design, high-throughput screening and medicinal chemistry.
NCATS Toolkit for Patient-Focused Therapy Development
The NCATS Toolkit for Patient-Focused Therapy Development is a centralized collection of online resources that can help patient groups advance through the research and development process for new treatments.
NIH Common Fund Programs
NIH Common Fund programs can provide a strategic and nimble approach to address key roadblocks in biomedical research that impede basic scientific discovery and its translation into improved human health. All NIH Institutes and Centers are involved with the NIH Office of Strategic Coordination in the design, implementation and evaluation of Common Fund programs.
Pfizer's Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI)
The CTI program is designed to help bridge the gap between early scientific discovery and its translation into new medicines through public-private resource sharing.
Rare Diseases Registry Program (RaDaR)
RaDaR, formerly known as the Global Rare Diseases Registry Data Repository program, aims to define best practices for patient registries. RaDaR also strives to identify and adopt standards to support high-quality registries for rare diseases therapeutics development.
Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)
The RDCRN program is designed to advance medical research on rare diseases by providing support for clinical studies and facilitating collaboration, study enrollment and data sharing. Through the RDCRN consortia, physician scientists and their multidisciplinary teams work together with patient advocacy groups to study more than 200 rare diseases at sites across the nation.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
These programs support NCATS’ mission to transform the translational science process by helping small businesses develop and commercialize new technologies.
Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND)
The TRND program supports pre-clinical development of therapeutic candidates intended to treat rare or neglected disorders, with the goal of enabling an Investigational New Drug application.
Tissue Chip for Drug Screening
The Tissue Chip for Drug Screening program aims to develop bioengineered devices to improve the process of predicting whether drugs will be safe or toxic in humans.
Toxicology in the 21st Century (Tox21)
The Tox21 initiative is designed to improve toxicity testing methods and enable faster, more efficient evaluation of chemicals’ effects on human health.
Trans-NIH RNAi Facility (TNRF)
The Trans-NIH RNAi Facility (TNRF), administered by staff in NCATS’ Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation, is designed to help NIH investigators use the latest functional genomics technology to advance drug discovery and scientific knowledge about health and disease.