Raleigh, N.C., January 10, 2023 —A Cure In Sight and HonorHealth Research Institute Melanoma Clinic announce their collaboration for a Biorepository of Uveal Melanoma tissue samples to be stored for future translational studies.

Given the rarity of uveal melanoma, there is a lack of understanding regarding the biology of the disease as compared to other, more common tumors. This limited understanding is a significant barrier in the development of effective therapies to combat this disease. ACIS and the HonorHealth Research Institute are working together to develop a multisite biobank of metastatic uveal samples to be used in studies that will lead to a better understanding of the disease. Samples will be available to non-profit researchers based on application submission and approval from a scientific and biobank oversight committee.

The biobank will be housed at the HonorHealth Research Institute, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Samples will be collected from patients at participating biobank sites, shipped to scientists at the HonorHealth Research Institute for processing and stored in the biobank until use. It is anticipated that sample collection and storage will start in the second quarter of 2023. Samples will be available for use starting in 2024. The initial grant for the project was made possible through a gift donation from the Laurie Walters Trust. Laurie Walters was a board member of A Cure In Sight.

Executive Director of ACIS, Melody Burchett said, “A Cure In Sight is excited to be collaborating with the HonorHealth Research Institute and our Insight Registry to create a multisite biobank to provide uveal melanoma samples to help further research into uveal melanoma and serve our patient community.”

Regarding the collaboration, Justin Moser, MD, associate clinical investigator with the HonorHealth Research Institute shared, “We are thrilled to develop a multisite biobank for the collection of metastatic uveal samples. Working collaboratively, the institute connects with patients, donors, physicians, partners and sponsors to share their needs, vision and purpose—because accomplishing the incredible or impossible cannot be done alone.”