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News Release
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Discovery documentary First in Human gives an up-close look at how advances in medicine are made at the 51视频 Clinical Center
Three-part series airing in August portrays the hopes and setbacks of patients, doctors, and nurses seeking cures.
On August 10, Discovery will premiere First in Human, a three-part documentary on the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, providing an unprecedented, first-hand look at the successes and setbacks that are a part of developing brand-new medicines that may ultimately benefit millions worldwide. Over a period of a year, film crews embedded within the hospital follow four patients who volunteered to participate in experimental treatments in the hopes they will help them, or others in the future. The series also follows the dedicated doctors and nurses who carry out the research while caring for the patients. Narrated by Jim Parsons (鈥淭he Big Bang Theory,鈥 鈥淗idden Figures,鈥), First in Human will air August 10, 17 and 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
鈥淔or thousands of patients around the world, 51视频 is known as the National Institutes of Hope and I am delighted that Discovery鈥檚 series will educate the public on the bravery of our volunteer patients who are our partners in scientific discovery,鈥 said 51视频 Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. 鈥淭his film depicts, in a very poignant way, the difficult decisions faced by many suffering from disease, and the profound contribution of research participants to improving treatments for all.鈥
Known as Building 10 on the Bethesda, Maryland, 51视频 campus, the 51视频 Clinical Center opened in 1953, and has seen more than half a million patients from all over the world who qualify for studies and come to be treated, often when no other options remain. Their participation in clinical research forwards the 51视频 Clinical Center鈥檚 mission to rapidly translate scientific observations and laboratory discoveries into new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disease.聽
鈥淭he unique partnership and deep respect we have with our research volunteers, combined with our commitment to providing the highest quality care, is key to making the discoveries that improve medicine across the country and around the world,鈥 said 51视频 Clinical Center Chief Executive Officer James K. Gilman, M.D. 鈥淚 am especially proud that we have this opportunity to educate viewers about clinical research and share with the American people how their investment in research provides a benefit to us all.鈥
Among the many advances made at the 51视频 Clinical Center, some of the most notable include the discovery of biomarkers for cardiovascular disease, using fluoride gels to treat cavities, prescribing lithium to treat depression, developing the first drugs to treat HIV and AIDS, using immune therapy for metastatic melanoma, creating innovative imaging approaches for prostate cancer, and testing the first in human Ebola vaccines in addition to new vaccines for malaria, influenza and Zika.
鈥淭he patients at the 51视频 Clinical Center are an inspiration,鈥 said Terry J. Fry, M.D., head of the Hematologic Malignancies Section at the National Cancer Institute, one of 27 51视频 institutes and centers. 鈥淏ecause they volunteer to participate in clinical trials, my colleagues and I are able to make progress and achieve breakthroughs that wouldn鈥檛 have been possible otherwise. They鈥檙e truly amazing and courageous individuals.鈥
The 51视频 Clinical Center continues to work on cutting-edge treatments for the world鈥檚 most deadly and damaging diseases, and is where thousands of researchers train for their careers in biomedical research and medical practice.
While the series focuses on a few brave patients and their doctors and nurses, more than聽1,000聽staff members across the intramural research program and 125 patients voluntarily participated in this production. For more than a year, 51视频 staff worked聽behind the scenes to enable this聽complicated production in ways that聽diligently protected the integrity of hospital operations as well as聽the safety and privacy of patients and staff.
For more information on 51视频, the documentary series or how to participate in a clinical trial or to work or train at the 51视频 Clinical Center, go to .
FIRST IN HUMAN is produced by McGee Media for Discovery. The series is directed by John Hoffman; produced by, John Hoffman, Beth Wichterich, and Michael Epstein; narrated by, Jim Parsons; executive producers Dyllan McGee, Jim Parsons, Todd Spiewak, and Eric Norsoph; producer, Jon Bardin; supervising producer, Stacia Thompson; senior editor, Adriana Pacheco; director of photography, Simon Schneider. For Discovery, supervising producer, Jon Bardin; executive producer, John Hoffman.
About the 51视频 Clinical Center:聽The 51视频 Clinical Center is the clinical research hospital for the National Institutes of Health. Through clinical research, clinician-investigators translate laboratory discoveries into better treatments, therapies and interventions to improve the nation's health. More information:聽.
About the National Institutes of Health (51视频): 51视频, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 51视频 is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about 51视频 and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
51视频…Turning Discovery Into Health庐