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Collaborate With Us

The Congenital and Perinatal Infections Consortium (CPIC) advances research on rare congenital and perinatal viral infections by building on existing relationships with longstanding partners. We welcome collaboration with Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) consortia and with sites currently outside of the network. In addition to our disease expertise, the CPIC offers both a time-tested research model and advanced pharmacometric expertise.

Pharmacometrics

Through collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Pediatric Pharmacometrics Laboratory led by Edward Acosta, PharmD, we have made strides in understanding antiviral drugs in rare disease populations.

The Pediatric Pharmacometrics Laboratory offers access to mass spectrometry assay development and state-of-the-art pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data analysis services, assessing both how drugs move within the body and what drugs do to the body. Dr. Acosta and his team are able to quantitatively measure specific analytes in over 110 different compounds. In order to support innovative study designs, novel assay methods are developed under Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) conditions and in compliance with current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and standards.

The laboratory has undergone five separate FDA audits leading to new or supplemental pediatric drug indications. Additionally, the laboratory conducts noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analyses and applies complex state-of-the-art individual and population-level pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug-disease models to concentration-time and response data.

This collaboration has enhanced our understanding of the development pathways of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in children. The Pediatric Pharmacometrics Laboratory and Dr. Acosta’s expertise may also assist other rare disease groups in conducting Phase I and II investigations of drugs for potential treatments.

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To discuss opportunities for collaboration, please contact:

David W. Kimberlin, MD
Principal Investigator
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1600 7th Ave. S.
Children's Harbor Suite 303
Birmingham, AL 35233
205-996-6097
dkimberlin@uabmc.edu

Available Opportunities

CPIC Scholars Program

Opportunity Type: Education and Career Development

Goal: Program impacts the research career development of the next generation of rare diseases researchers focusing on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, and neonatal enterovirus (EV) and parechovirus (HPeV) sepsis.

Sponsor: Congenital and Perinatal Infections Consortium (CPIC)

Eligibility Criteria: Open to interested fellows and early-stage faculty.

Application Due Date: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Term: One - Two Years

CPIC 2024 Pilot and Feasibility Program

Opportunity Type: Pilot Grants and Other Requests for Applications

Goal: Projects to eliminate the disease burden associated with rare pediatric viral diseases focusing on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, and neonatal enterovirus (EV) and human parechovirus (HPeV) sepsis.

Sponsor: Congenital and Perinatal Infections Consortium (CPIC)

Eligibility Criteria: This program is primarily intended to support full-time faculty who are early-stage investigators (see NIH definition). Faculty with previous or active K-awards are eligible and are encouraged to apply. Past CPIC pilot applicants are also encouraged, but subsequent applications should be “new” submissions. Postdoctoral fellows are eligible if a faculty appointment will be made on or before September 1, 2024. If this is the case, the applicant must include a letter from their Department Chair confirming their status. Applications will also be accepted from established investigators with a previous history of funding with justification of eligibility. Established investigators are eligible if the proposed research represents a major shift from his/her scientific portfolio to date. By providing an Eligibility Statement within the Pre-Application, established PIs have the opportunity to comment on how the proposed aims represent a major shift in science.

Letter of Intent Due Date: 2024-04-15

Application Due Date: 2024-06-05

Term: One Year