You would not ask a goldfish to take flying lessons. Its chances of success would be slim.

Yet CIRM faced a similar challenge. The agency asked leading stem cell scientists to move their cell therapy ideas through clinical trials using CIRM funding.

These researchers excel at developing therapies. However, many lack experience navigating the FDA’s complex regulatory requirements.

Without that expertise, they may struggle to advance their therapies into clinical trials.

This challenge led to a $15 million grant for the CIRM Accelerating Center.

In June, CIRM’s governing board awarded the grant to QuintilesIMS.

Last Tuesday, the QuintilesIMS and CIRM teams celebrated the center’s grand opening.

The event took place at QuintilesIMS’s San Diego office.

CIRM President and CEO Randy Mills described the center’s purpose and its role in accelerating stem cell therapies for patients with unmet medical needs:

“We asked stem cell scientists to do something outside their experience. We considered the problem and found a simple solution.

“Why not create a center for the world’s leading cell therapy researchers and innovators? The center could provide the tools they need to navigate the regulatory system successfully.

“Their transformative ideas could then reach clinical trials and help patients.

“We stopped asking fish to take flying lessons. Instead, we tell fish to swim as fast as they can, while we help with unfamiliar tasks.

“That idea drives the Accelerating Center, and I am thrilled that CIRM participates.”

This first-of-its-kind center will provide researchers with support and management services. These resources could improve the chances of success for their clinical trials.

QuintilesIMS, a leading integrated healthcare services and technology company, will operate the center.

CIRM projects that involve clinical development will benefit from QuintilesIMS’s therapeutic expertise and experience.

These projects will also receive discounted QuintilesIMS services.

Alan Metz, QuintilesIMS’s senior vice president of Global Therapeutic and Specialty Centers of Excellence, also spoke at the grand opening.

His wife’s battle with multiple sclerosis gives him a personal connection to the center’s mission.

“My family has a personal stake in stem cell therapy’s success. I feel pleased and privileged to collaborate with CIRM.

“I am thrilled that Quintiles has the opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking and exciting field of research.”

Scott Peters, the United States representative for District 52, also attended the event.

His district includes parts of San Diego and the QuintilesIMS office.

Peters cut the ribbon to officially open the center.

Mills then offered a toast to the patients who motivate this work:

“I want us to remember why the life sciences industry exists. I want us to remember why we are here and why CIRM exists.

“We exist to accelerate therapies for patients with unmet medical needs.”