The UMSOM Endocrinology and Nephrology programs integrate world-class clinical care with translational and basic research in diabetes, metabolic/endocrine disorders, and kidney diseases. Our faculty have diverse expertise ranging from diabetes and obesity therapeutics to novel therapies for chronic kidney disease with well-established support from the NIH, foundations, and industry. We serve a large, diverse patient population through specialized centers and comprehensive clinics. These assets, plus strong basic-science and clinical trial infrastructure, make us an ideal partner for biopharmaceutical, biotech, and device companies seeking to accelerate development and uptake of new endocrine and renal therapies.

Preclinical & Translational Development Assets

Multidisciplinary basic/translational teams in Endocrinology (studying diabetes, metabolism, endocrine disorders), supported by NIH, ADA, and biopharmaceutical R&D grants.

Maryland Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Research Core Center (NIDDK U54)  provides cores for PKD basic-to-clinical research, reagents, and data.

Institute for Genome Sciences in genetic endocrinopathies.

Clinical Development Capabilities

Centers of Excellence: UMMC Diabetes & Endocrine Center, including a West Baltimore Center of Excellence for diabetes and endocrine care, and a multidisciplinary PKD clinic, providing large patient cohorts for clinical trials. 

Fellowship Training: ACGME-accredited Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism fellowship and Nephrology fellowship (including AST-accredited transplant training), ensuring ongoing clinical research leadership.

Transplant Programs: Integrated kidney transplant and pancreas transplant programs (clinical/translational research in immunosuppression, xenotransplantation models).

Clinical Trial Infrastructure: Membership in NIH-funded PKD Research Consortium.

HEOR and Post-Approval Capabilities

Real-World Evidence: Large UM Medical System patient database (>2M patients) with rich longitudinal data for outcomes research.

Diverse Populations: Enabling robust health equity and comparative effectiveness studies in endocrinology and nephrology.

Outcomes Research: Expert faculty in epidemiology and outcomes with access to large diabetes and ESRD-related registries.

Data Analytics: Advanced analytics (e.g. machine learning) applied to chronic disease prediction and management.

Trial Emulations: Deploying EHR and national claims data sets.

We welcome partnership discussions

The Divisions of Endocrinology and Nephrology at UMSOM welcome partnerships in areas including:

• New Therapeutics: Development and testing of novel glucose-lowering, weight-loss, hormonal or kidney-protective drugs (from discovery to late-phase trials).
• Diagnostics and Biomarkers: Identification/validation of biomarkers for diabetes complications, endocrine tumors, or kidney disease progression (using biorepositories and genomics).
• Technology & Devices: Collaboration on diabetes care technologies (insulin pumps, sensors, telehealth platforms) and renal diagnostics (e.g. home dialysis innovations, digital monitoring).
• Preventive Health: Population health and AI-driven tools for early detection of diabetes and CKD; health equity interventions targeting high-risk communities.
• Post-Marketing Studies: Real-world comparative studies of approved endocrine/nephrology therapies to assess long-term safety and outcomes

Let’s discuss collaborating, contact:

Robert McClain, PhD
Director of Industry Partnerships
Robert.McClain@som.umaryland.edu