Dear Colleagues:

I am very happy to announce that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Biomarkers Qualification Program recently accepted the ASBMR-Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Strategy to Advance BMD as a Regulatory Endpoint (SABRE) project team’s Qualification Plan to use the treatment-related change in bone mineral density (BMD) as a surrogate endpoint for fractures in future trials of new anti-osteoporosis drugs.

Indeed, this is the first qualification plan accepted by the FDA for a surrogate endpoint under the 21st Century Cures Act, a remarkable achievement for the Project Team. This team, including ASBMR members Dennis Black, Mary Bouxsein and Richard Eastell, now plans to submit a Full Qualification Package based on this approved plan for final approval by the FDA before the end of this year.

The ASBMR is proud to financially support this critical initiative. Achieving FDA approval to utilize BMD as a surrogate endpoint in future osteoporosis drug development trials could provide patients with more options to fight a disease that leads to debilitating fractures that cause disability, loss of independence and even death. It is also likely to attract more researchers to the musculoskeletal field, enabling a new horizon of discoveries to help our patients.

September’s ASBMR 2022 Annual Meeting will be the premier event for our global community to reconnect in person and discuss the latest exciting innovations and advancements in the bone, mineral and musculoskeletal field.  With more than 900 abstracts already submitted by researchers around the world and our late breaking abstract period opening soon, there will be something impactful at this year’s Annual Meeting for each of us to experience. The best way to keep abreast of the latest discoveries in bone and mineral research is to join us in Austin in September.

The late breaking abstract submission system will open on Wednesday, June 22 and close on Wednesday, July 13.  

Registration is now open for the Annual Meeting. Be sure to register prior to the early-bird deadline of Thursday, July 28 to ensure you receive the lowest registration rate.

The Society has also secured an exclusive block of rooms at two hotels located close to the Austin Convention Center where all Annual Meeting activities will be taking place. Book your room now and secure your stay before rates increase!

If you aren’t able to join us in person in Austin, Texas, USA this year, you can instead purchase our Online Experience and navigate recorded sessions from the program at your own pace following the meeting.

I look forward to connecting with each of you in Austin in September. And remember, your science is our progress!
 
Sincerely,
Peter Ebeling
President, ASBMR