CIRM's board implementing organizational changes

The governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine voted to adopt revisions to its governance structure based on recommendations that came in a December report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The proposed revisions would implement IOM's recommendation to separate CIRM's operations from its oversight by dividing responsibilities between the president and chairman of the governing board -- the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC). The chairman would handle all "external affairs," including raising additional funds, and the president would supervise all scientific operations and internal operational responsibilities. Both the chairman and president will also work to develop a plan to address CIRM's sustainability (see BioCentury Extra, Dec. 6, 2012).

The revisions would also implement IOM's recommendation to revise CIRM's conflict of interest policies and increase industry involvement in the grants working group. Board members would no longer be able to vote on grants from their respective institutions, and only independent board members and patient advocates would be able to vote on funding issues. Additionally, the ICOC would establish a scientific advisory board to provide guidance on issues including funding priorities and portfolio strategy. ...