As part of our rapidly expanding efforts to secure a clear path for the development of treatments and funding for celiac disease at the federal level, we are pleased to announce the Celiac Disease Foundation Research Working Group: a collaborative effort specifically designed to build on the progress we have made in the federal advocacy arena.

The CDF Research Working Group is composed of celiac drug developers, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates. The group will seek to identify and share opportunities to elevate the needs and concerns of patients to national policy makers and federal regulators, as well as to identify and resolve common barriers related to the development of FDA approved treatments and cures for celiac disease. The group will meet quarterly to discuss the current state of celiac disease research, identify gaps and challenges – particularly in drug development – share best practices and lessons learned, and propose recommendations for future actions.

There is a clear need to regularly convene experts from different fields and sectors, including researchers from academia, biopharmaceutical professionals, and, as appropriate, representatives from the Executive and Legislative branches of the U.S. government to facilitate the information-sharing that will accelerate the development of novel therapies and assure federal protections for people with celiac disease. This is why we formed our Research Working Group.

As the world’s leading patient advocacy organization for celiac disease, we work every day on behalf of the patient community to accelerate diagnosis, treatment, and a cure through research, advocacy, and education.

We look forward to partnering with Research Working Group members on this important initiative. Together we will make a difference for the tens of millions of people worldwide living with celiac disease.