NIH hits pause on non-critical lab work

NIH became the latest group to pare back its research due to the COVID-19 outbreak, following in the footsteps of multiple biopharmas that have paused preclinical and clinical programs this week. The organization will shift all non-mission critical lab operations to maintenance, starting March 23.

Lab work that will continue includes care of research participants in NIH clinical protocols that are non-elective; research directly on COVID-19; urgent public health research recommended by NIH scientific leadership; work involving significant research investments that could be lost if not continued; and protection of life, property and resources, including the care of research animals. ...