NIH reps have been part of the ongoing biomarker work in PD for years...they actually were non-funding partners of our first biomarker discovery RFA in 2002. Over the past several years, as we have convened scores of experts for input on next steps for biomarker candidate verification (these discussions led to PPMI), folks from NINDS and FDA have been included--plus they've convened some meetings of their own (that we have been part of).

So, the good news is that NIH has heard extensive input about the critical next steps for developing markers of progression. The even better news is that while early on they didn't think they would be able to contribute financially the PPMI public/private partnership (all along there was an expectation that some in-kind contributions would be made--Andy Singleton at NIA is running the genetics core for instance) it seems funds are now available to direct toward biomarker verification. The RFA you cite is a reflection on that newfound money and the RFA elements strongly reflect the scientific conversations that have taken place over the past several years.

The PPMI study has been encouraged to apply to the RFA for funding and is doing so. Given the aligned design elements, we remain extremely optimistic that PPMI will receive NIH support. We should hear next year but in the meantime, we aren't willing to wait and are proceeding with our efforts full steam ahead.

Hope this helps.

Debi