Collaborative Spine Research Foundation Receives Three-Year Grant from Medtronic for Cross-Disciplinary Research

ROSEMONT, Ill., Feb, 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Collaborative Spine Research Foundation (Collaborative Spine) announced today an agreement to receive up to $7 million over the next three years to fund cross-disciplinary spinal research from Medtronic's Spine business. The final amount of the grant will be contingent on Collaborative Spine's ability to engage additional industry support for its research agenda. Collaborative Spine will use the funding to award competitive, multi-year grants for independent, investigator-driven clinical spine research studies.

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Collaborative Spine, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 2011 by the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation to advance the science and practice of the highest-quality spine care.

"Clinical research in spine care is vital to our ability to advance patient care and improve access to needed technologies and therapies," said Doug King, senior vice president and president of the Spine business at Medtronic. "As the global leader in the spine-care industry, Medtronic has demonstrated a commitment to clinical research in numerous ways throughout the years, and this grant is an evolution of that commitment. Collaborative Spine is uniquely positioned at the intersection of orthopedic and neurosurgical spine care. All professional societies affiliated with spine care will have the opportunity to benefit from this research grant."

Collaborative Spine's research agenda was formed in collaboration with key stakeholders from neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery. The goal of Collaborative Spine-funded research is to answer the most important research questions and ensure that all funded projects are conducted in a valid, meaningful and rigorous fashion.

"Medtronic has demonstrated its leadership with this grant," said James Heckman, MD, chair of Collaborative Spine, "and we look forward to other corporations and funding agencies joining this effort. Together, we can broaden the reach of our research agenda and ultimately improve patients' lives."

"Collaborative Spine is plowing new ground as a multispecialty organization," said Charles Branch Jr., MD, secretary/treasurer of Collaborative Spine. "While we bridge two major specialties, we represent a united pathway for industry and other interested parties to contribute to the development of the science that will transform patient care. What's more, we're not relying only on government or NIH funding to move our fields forward."

As a result of this grant, on Feb. 11, 2013, Collaborative Spine made a funding opportunity announcement of its intent to provide up to $10 million for original research projects that address its research agenda. Grants will be made for projects of one to three years in duration, at an amount up to $300,000 per year. Collaborative Spine will have full and sole discretion in selecting researchers and awarding grants, and anticipates a solicitation for research grant applications to be published by May 1, 2013, with funding to commence by Sept. 1, 2013. More information is at the Collaborative Spine website, www.csrfoundation.net.

About the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation

The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) is the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Neurosurgeons and the premier funder of neurosurgical studies. NREF focuses on providing fellowship funding in basic neuroscience and neurosurgical programs in North America.

About the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation

The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) raises funds to support research and education on diseases and injuries of bones, joints, nerves, and muscles. Since 1955, OREF has awarded more than 4,200 grants, totaling more than $100 million.

Both NREF and OREF are 501 (c)(3) foundations that are well-established and highly respected for their non-conflicted, independent policies and procedures, rigorous peer-review and selection processes, and commitment to advancing the science and practice of orthopedic and neurological surgery for the benefit of their patients.

SOURCE Collaborative Spine Research Foundation