Vail Research Institutions Renew Landmark Partnership with Five-Year Commitment
The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) and Vail Health have solidified their longstanding collaboration with a new five-year agreement that promises to advance medical research and innovation in the Mountain West region. This extension builds upon a highly successful ten-year partnership that began in 2015, positioning the Vail area as a significant hub for world-class scientific discovery.
Building on a Decade of Scientific Breakthroughs
The renewed partnership represents a continuation of groundbreaking work that has already yielded major advancements in several critical medical fields. Over the past decade, the collaboration between SPRI and Vail Health has fueled significant progress in regenerative medicine, with particular emphasis on orthopaedic research, cancer studies, and behavioral health investigations.
Dr. Marc J. Philippon, Chairman of SPRI and Managing Partner of The Steadman Clinic, emphasized the importance of this ongoing relationship. "SPRI has experienced tremendous growth and our partnership with Vail Health has been critical to much of our success during the past 10 years," he stated. "Together with Vail Health, we've not only advanced orthopaedic and cancer research but also contributed to global medical knowledge. Many of our shared research projects are ongoing. The next five years will allow us to deepen that impact and pursue new frontiers in regenerative medicine and longevity."
Transforming Research into Community Benefits
Will Cook, president and CEO of Vail Health, highlighted how this partnership aligns with their organizational mission. "Vail Health greatly values our longstanding partnership with SPRI that, in conjunction with our orthopaedic partners, has solidified the Vail area as a world-renowned destination for research and orthopaedics," Cook explained. "Continuing this collaboration with SPRI and expanding it to new avenues of study is in perfect alignment with our mission of elevating health across our mountain communities. The research results that come out of SPRI are a true benefit to our community, and we are proud to support their efforts."
From Pilot Studies to Major Clinical Trials
The original partnership established crucial laboratory infrastructure and launched SPRI's regenerative medicine program, providing essential seed funding for pilot studies and research initiatives. Several of these initial projects have since evolved into multi-year clinical studies and trials supported by prestigious organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DoD).
Clinicians and scientists have investigated innovative treatments for orthopaedic conditions through this collaboration, exploring approaches such as:
- Anti-fibrotic medications
- Senolytic supplements
- Biologic therapies
- Advanced surgical techniques
Focus Areas for Future Research
The renewed five-year commitment will prioritize advancing two foundational collaborations that have already demonstrated significant potential. Cancer research represents a particularly promising area, with Vail Health's Shaw Cancer Center in Edwards, Colorado applying SPRI's anti-fibrotic orthopaedic research to breast cancer patients experiencing radiation-induced fibrosis.
Early pilot studies have shown encouraging results, and continuing this work will remain a central priority. The partnership aims to pursue federal grants while expanding research to include other cancer types. Behavioral health research will also receive continued emphasis as part of this comprehensive medical research initiative.
This extended collaboration between SPRI and Vail Health represents a significant investment in the future of medical science, with potential benefits extending far beyond Colorado's mountain communities to impact global healthcare approaches and treatment methodologies.
