Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center Programs
Through medical research, BRI is committed to identifying the causes of debilitating autoimmune diseases and applying these findings to improve diagnosis, disease management and treatment. There are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases affecting one in 20 Americans, with conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Crohn's disease and many others. Autoimmune diseases happen when the body's immune system, designed to protect the body, attacks it instead.
BRI investigates diseases at the genetic and molecular level and translates these discoveries into clinical research trials to bring new medical advances to people at the earliest opportunity. In 2010, approximately 3,700 people joined clinical research studies or the research registries at BRI. More than 100 clinical trials are currently enrolling participants through BRI’s Clinical Research Program. BRI is affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center and collaborates with institutions locally and worldwide.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
BRI was established in 1956 and has grown into a world-renowned research institute. Medical research has made tremendous progress especially over the last several decades. A growing number of autoimmune diseases are now being treated in clinical trials using powerful immunolodulator drugs and molecules that have come from laboratory discoveries. For instance two decades ago, BRI only conceived of one or two clinical trials for Type 1 diabetes, now BRI has about 20 trials all looking at different ways to treat, cure and even prevent this disease. There have been many notable successes so this is not only a hope for the future, but is actually happening today.
Every day at BRI, we are getting closer to, "unlocking the immune system." We rely on the generous support of individuals, corporations and foundations to continue our work to improve diagnosis, treatment and new therapies. BRI is passionate about bringing all its resources to bear in improving the lives of the many people suffering from disease. With your help, we can bring in a new era of personalized medical care, aimed at helping individuals achieve the healthiest life possible.