NEW YORK, NY — Todd Sherer, PhD, CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), has been selected as one of 18 members of the Advisory Council to the newly formed National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

The NCATS Advisory Council, whose inaugural meeting takes place today in Bethesda, will provide insight and guidance on policies and procedures to overcome scientific and systemic barriers that slow the progress of research discoveries on the translational path toward practical patient relevance.

Formed in December 2011, NCATS is the first National Institutes of Health institution dedicated to proactively driving translational research through the identification and advancement of innovative drug development, testing and diagnostic tools across all fields of human diseases. 

“Streamlining the drug discovery process from the lab to the pharmacy shelf has been a key focus of our Foundation since inception,” Todd Sherer said. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to gain insight into other diseases while applying learnings from our experience in Parkinson’s — all to help propel the drug development pipeline forward for the benefit of every American.”

Sherer, who testified before Congress last March on the importance of NCATS’ agenda, will serve on the NCATS Advisory Council until 2015. Starting in 2013, the Advisory Council will meet three times a year. Council agendas and meeting minutes will be available on the NCATS Web site.  A majority of the meetings will also be available via videocast through the NCATS Web site.