The Center for Experimental Therapeutics facilitates the development of new cancer therapies by coordinating and supporting drug discovery research and introducing promising innovations into clinical practice. An early research project may begin as a basic science investigation focused on drug discovery, target identification, mechanism of action and resistance, or structure-function analyses. MSK’s translational labs and core facilities often contribute valuable services to refine new discoveries into clinically viable entities, and can assist investigators with both intramural and extramural regulatory bodies.

Consultation with the Office of Technology Development for the appropriate handling of therapy-related intellectual property helps our investigators expedite therapeutic development and take advantage of MSK’s partnerships with industry. These activities are closely integrated for efficient translation into the clinic.

The Center for Experimental Therapeutics maintains close relationships with other Collaborative Research Centers at MSK. For example, the Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology provides collaborative opportunities for our scientists to work on nanotechnology-based drugs and imaging agents. Our research program also benefits greatly from the Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute (Tri-I TDI), a unique partnership between MSK, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Rockefeller University. The Tri-I TDI provides medicinal chemistry expertise that was not available to us prior to its launch, in 2013. In addition, the Tri-I TDI’s partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals will add to our resources for developing small molecule therapeutic agents and molecular probes.