November 27, 1998

The responsibility for negotiating contracts with for-profit companies sponsoring research projects at all Partners institutions now lies with the Partners Office of Corporate-Sponsored Research and Licensing (CSRL). The new office combines the responsibilities and staff members of the MGH Office of Technology Affairs and the BWH Ventures Office and maintains branch locations at both hospitals.

William Terry, MD, Partners vice president for CSRL, oversees the combined office. Nikki Zapol directs the MGH CSRL located at CNY, and Brian Hicks directs the BWH CSRL at 1249 Boylston St. A third unit responsible for industry-sponsored clinical trials negotiations, for which Terry is acting as interim director, is already serving both hospitals as well as Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare, reflecting the Partnerswide integration of human studies activities. Marvin Guthrie, formerly director of the MGH Office of Technology Affairs is now the CSRL executive director for Patents and Licensing.

Investigators and others with questions or concerns about corporate-sponsored research and related issues should continue to contact the staff in their local office, who may refer them to appropriate staff at the other sites. For more information, call the MGH CSRL at 6-8608.