UI Institute for Cancer Drug Discovery and Development (CANDID)
At its September meeting, the Board of Regents will consider approval of a new center at the University of Iowa: the Institute for Cancer Drug Discovery and Development (CANDID). If approved, the new center would be housed in the College of Pharmacy and charged with accelerating the discovery, development and early clinical translation of novel cancer therapeutics.
UI Health Care’s existing cancer biology, pharmaceutical science, clinical research and biomanufacturing capabilities are strengths, but lack a unified structure. If approved, CANDID would provide that structure, shared resources and training programs and directly respond to the pressing cancer needs of Iowans.
CANDID’s proposed structure would create a formal partnership between the UI College of Pharmacy and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, bringing together complementary strengths in drug discovery, development, and clinical translation through shared leadership and coordinated strategic planning. This unified pipeline will help translate cancer discoveries into effective, novel therapies while simultaneously developing the next-generation workforce needed to sustain innovation in cancer drug discovery, development, and manufacturing.
UI’s CANDID Institute request will come before the Academic Affairs Committee on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. Final Board consideration will be given as part of the consent agenda Thursday at 9:15 a.m.
