There is an old adage that it takes years to become an overnight sensation. Indeed, in many fields, decades of planning, study and hard work eventually make possible what seems a sudden success story. For example, the phrase “public-private partnerships” is ubiquitous in some circles, but for many, a new concept. For the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), however, it is a successful way to drive progress—a formula we have used for nearly 20 years to build innovative and strategic alliances between the public and private sectors. These partnerships are crucial to the advancement of biomedical science because they provide a vehicle to create and support trailblazing projects and programs that enhance the mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Another of today’s most popular terms—born from decades of scientific and clinical research—is “precision medicine”: tailoring treatment to the needs and make-up of an individual. The potential impact on health due to such technologically advanced medicine is enormous and demonstrates why funding for medical research must be, and must remain, a national priority. This new way of preventing, diagnosing and treating disease did not happen overnight; it took strong investment from the U.S. government for basic research, unwavering dedication from scientists in academia, the private and the public sectors, generous philanthropic support from donors and, importantly, the unselfish commitment of thousands of patients who volunteer to become partners in the medical research enterprise.

The FNIH is uniquely positioned to work with these stakeholders to create partnerships that have transformed business-as-usual into business success. In this report, we are pleased to highlight some of the pioneering programs of the robust FNIH portfolio, including a new model for clinical trials that speed patient access to investigational drugs (Lung-MAP), new interventions that enhance the lives and health of some of the world’s poorest people (HIT-TB) and a radically new approach to early-stage drug development (AMP).

Yet there are challenges. In recent years, the NIH budget has suffered losses, both in real and inflation-adjusted dollars. A government shutdown and sequestration compounded the situation. If as a society we are to continue progress towards revolutionizing our ability to tackle disease and disability, this trend must be reversed to regain momentum.

The staff of the FNIH is inspired by our mission to help the NIH turn discovery into improved health. With the generous support of the biomedical community, our funders and our partners, we continue to leverage public and private funds to advance biomedical science forward through innovative leading-edge initiatives.