What's the future of Medical research with all the federal cuts?

Medical research funding in Northeast Ohio continues to face significant challenges, with federal grant approval rates dropping to historic lows while private donations increasingly fill critical gaps in clinical trial support. Dr. Theodoros Teknos, President and Scientific Director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, reports that while NIH and NCI funding levels have remained stable, the competition for grants has intensified dramatically. Currently, only about 8% of submitted grants receive funding, down from approximately 20-22% when he began his career in medicine. "There's no question it's been very stressful because there's been a lot of uncertainty," Teknos said during a recent interview. The low funding rate means approximately 1 in 12 grants gets approved, leaving many important studies without government support. Private philanthropy has become essential to maintaining research momentum. Kathy Coleman's recent $3.5 million gift to the "Because of You: The Campaign for University Hospitals" will fuel expansion of the Kathy and Les Coleman Clinical Trials Center. This donation brings her lifetime giving to more than $14 million, all given in memory of her late husband, former Lubrizol Corp. chairman and CEO Lester Coleman Jr. These funds help offset clinical trial costs, which can range from $50,000 to $100,000 per patient. The funding challenges are particularly concerning for young scientists entering the field. Dr. Teknos notes that many brilliant PhDs are choosing industry careers over academic research due to concerns about securing funding and job security. Despite these challenges, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center continues expanding its clinical trial portfolio. The center currently offers more than 400 clinical trials annually and plans to triple its capacity by 2030. As a member of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, UH Seidman is one of only seven cancer centers in the country with access to novel drugs from the National Cancer Institute. The institution is developing innovative CAR-T cell therapies through the Wesley Center for Immunotherapy, which can create these specialized cells in just 24 hours compared to the industry standard of 12-30 days. UH is one of only 11 academic medical centers successfully manufacturing CAR-T cells for patient use. Additionally, researchers are advancing theranostic treatments that combine imaging and targeted radiation delivery. Coleman's donation will relocate the clinical trials center into a dedicated 16,000-square-foot space on the main campus, centralizing care and making room for new machinery to expand theranostic investigations. The expansion will also enable University Hospitals to bring phase one clinical trials directly to community locations, making cutting-edge treatments more accessible to patients who cannot travel to the main campus. "Clinical trials are critical for so many reasons," Coleman said. "On a global level, they help advance research and move us closer to cures; but for individuals and families, I know personally the hope they bring." The institution maintains its commitment to serving Northeast Ohio patients while navigating an increasingly competitive research funding environment. More information about the "Because of You" campaign is available at UHGiving.org.