UAMS Records $38.8 Million in Research Support to Combat COVID-19
| LITTLE ROCK — Since last year’s arrival of COVID-19, researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have received
Shuk-Mei Ho, Ph.D.
nearly $38.8 million, primarily from state and federal sources, to help combat the disease.
The state of Arkansas has provided $16.9 million, or 43.4% of the funds, while federal dollars have totaled $19.2 million, or 49.5%.
The funding has supported research across the board, including clinic- and hospital-based, lab-based and community-based projects. Examples include statewide antibody testing, multisite clinical trials of potential new treatments, education and prevention studies, mental health research, polling, surveys and more.
“This remarkable level of support from outside UAMS is a testament to the knowledge, talent and dedication of our research teams,” said Shuk-Mei Ho, Ph.D., UAMS vice chancellor for Research. “From the early days of the pandemic, I was amazed at how quickly our researchers pivoted to join the fight against COVID-19.”
Laura James, M.D.
Private funding, primarily from pharmaceutical companies, has totaled $1.7 million for seven of 18 clinical trials so far. Nonprofits have provided $675,201 for four projects.
Ho’s Division of Research and Innovation has also invested $331,396 in UAMS funds to UAMS researchers for nine COVID-19 pilot research projects.
In recent years, UAMS has significantly increased its capacity for research with new infrastructure and resources through its Translational Research Institute. The institute in 2019 received a five-year, $24.2 million Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).
The prestigious CTSA, awarded to only the highest performing research institutions in the U.S., has brought new research opportunities, attracting institutional collaborations and industry partners from outside Arkansas. Through February, the Translational Research Institute had led or assisted with UAMS’ 88 total COVID-19 studies.
A UAMS patient and research participant being trained to use a remote monitoring device before being discharged.
“Research is critical to beating COVID-19,” said Laura James, M.D., director of the Institute. “I am proud to see UAMS making important contributions to the science. We are helping find new treatments, new community-based approaches, and developing strategies that will help us win the fight against COVID-19 and be better prepared for the next pandemic.”
Examples of the COVID-19-related grants include:
- Statewide SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Support came from $3.3 million in federal coronavirus aid that was then allocated by the Arkansas Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Steering Committee created by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. This major collaborative effort involves UAMS, including the colleges of Medicine and Public Health, the Translational Research Institute, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute and Arkansas Department of Health.
A robotic device purchased last year helps researchers test blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
- COVID-19 testing interventions in Northwest Arkansas. Funded by a $715,920 NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostic (RADx) grant, this study aims to improve COVID-19 testing strategies for Pacific Islander and Latinx populations, which have been disproportionately affected by the disease. The project, noted for its rapid recruitment of study participants, is featured on the RADx website with a story and video.
- A study of disparities in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. This study by researchers in the College of Public Health and College of Medicine is supported by a $1.3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute through the national Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet).
- A $940,000 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grant to support digital health technology used to address COVID-19-related needs across Arkansas.
