MU seeks proposals to manage development, implementation of Translational Precision Medicine Complex

Outstanding researchers from all four UM System campuses will collaborate at new research center to discover personalized, individual medical treatments and cures

May 4th, 2018

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Today, University of Missouri officials announced they are seeking proposals from consulting firms to develop and implement a public-private partnership for the MU Translational Precision Medicine Complex. The TPMC will bring together industry partners, multiple schools and colleges on campus, and the federal government to pursue a collaborative approach to disease treatment and prevention that accounts for individual variability in genes, environment and lifestyle.

“We’re excited about the momentum that’s building around the TPMC and the opportunity it will provide for us to solve grand challenges in health care,” MU Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright said. “This facility will act as a shared biomedical resource to tackle cancer, neurological and vascular diseases while helping us attract federal and industry grants and funding. Only a handful of these types of collaborative venues exist throughout the country. This will position MU and the other UM campuses on the forefront of leading-edge research discoveries.”

Translational medicine “translates” scientific advancements made in a laboratory into new drugs, devices and treatments that improve human health and well-being. Researchers at the new TPMC will integrate this “bench-to-bedside” model with precision medicine, a revolutionary approach to disease treatment that delivers customized patient care based on the patient’s individual, biological system.

“The TPMC complex was selected as the highest capital priority by the University of Missouri System Board of Curators,” UM System President Mun Choi said. “This is the boldest and most innovative investment in our history; the TPMC will be central to our efforts in growing research and industry partnerships at MU and collaborations throughout the four campuses. Combining our resources from our campuses across the state is one more way in which we are serving the state and addressing some of the biggest challenges facing Missouri citizens.”

UM System officials recently announced the results of an outside, independent study that found the UM System and its four campuses have a $5.4 billion economic impact on the state of Missouri through direct employment, job creation and research funding. The development of the TPMC is expected to add to that figure significantly as a catalyst for additional economic growth, Choi said.

“This facility will play a crucial role in MU’s future as a transformational leader in improving health by taking advantage of our longstanding culture of multidisciplinary research and integrating biomedical research under one roof,” said Mark McIntosh, vice president for research and economic development at the UM System and vice chancellor for research, graduate studies and economic development at MU. “Collaborators will include the best researchers from around the country, including our best and brightest from colleges and schools across the UM System, who will work together to conduct leading-edge research that improves our quality of life.”

The selected team will demonstrate a proven track record in the development and implementation of research facilities at colleges, universities and major institutions. The team also will provide strategic development of the scope of the project; will manage the procurement and implementation phases of the TPMC; and keep costs down while providing good stewardship of taxpayer funds. The request also states the university’s desire to contract with a Missouri firm. Selection is expected to take place by May 14.

Editor’s Note: Link to Request for Qualifications