The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) has scored two major grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) totaling $48 million. The NIH grants will be used to continue research on autoimmune diseases like Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and on human exposure to anthrax.
Congressman Tom Cole has worked over the years to help secure funding for medical research. He was on hand Monday at OMRF when the grant announcement was made public.
“The new grants are the product of a robust partnership between the federal government and Oklahoma’s biomedical research community,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D.
“Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Cole on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies that oversees funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health’s budget has grown almost $8 billion over the past five years,” said Prescott. “He’s been a champion for medical research, and those efforts are paying dividends in the form of new grants, a boost for our state’s economy, and advances in treatments for Oklahoma’s patients.”
Thirty six-million dollars will fund the autoimmune research, while $12 million will go to the anthrax research. OMRF is one of ten Autoimmunity Centers for Excellence in the U.S.
“I am proud to congratulate these impressive Oklahoma based researchers who set themselves apart in nationwide competitions,” said Cole, who serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. “The grant funding awarded will not only open doors to new treatments for Oklahoma patients, but the projects will also deliver significant economic benefits by creating and supporting jobs in the research sector and helping identify future biotechnology opportunities in our state.”
Congresswoman Kendra Horn also attended the grant announcement and said that she also supports medical research to help advance human health.
“These new NIH awards continue the strong trajectory of biomedical research growth in Oklahoma City,” said Horn. “I’m proud OMRF calls Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District home. When federal grants can catalyze research that benefits Oklahoma’s economy and patients, everybody wins.”
