The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research

http://feinstein.northwell.edu

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research serves as the research arm of Northwell Health, with a core mission to produce knowledge that cures disease and to bridge the gap between biomedical research and patient care. Headquartered in Manhasset, New York, the Institutes aim to be a global leader in molecular medicine and a leading institution for the education of disease-focused molecular scientists.

The Institutes conduct extensive research across a broad spectrum of medical fields, including molecular medicine, genetics, cancer, neuroscience, behavioral science, and bioelectronic medicine. Its structure comprises six specialized institutes: Behavioral Science, Bioelectronic Medicine, Cancer Research, Health System Science, Molecular Medicine, and Translational Research. Operating 50 research labs and managing between 2,500 and 3,000 clinical research studies, the Feinstein Institutes employs 5,000 to 6,300 professional and support staff. It also hosts the Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, offering advanced education in the field.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Kevin J. Tracey, MD, the Feinstein Institutes continues to achieve notable advancements. In October 2024, it established the Institute of Translational Research, supported by a $5 million gift from the Karches family. Scientists at the Institutes unveiled a novel drug discovery strategy for sepsis and rheumatoid arthritis in February 2026. The organization is widely recognized as a global scientific leader in bioelectronic medicine, an innovative field that integrates molecular medicine, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering to develop device-based therapies.

Latest updates

CAR-T Pioneers June, Sadelain Awarded Feinstein Ross Prize

Event summary

  • Carl H. June and Michel Sadelain have been awarded the 2026 Feinstein Institutes Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine, recognizing their contributions to CAR-T cell therapy.
  • The $50,000 prize will be presented on June 11, 2026, in conjunction with The New York Academy of Sciences.
  • June's lab developed CAR-T therapy, leading to the FDA approval of tisagenlecleucel in 2017.
  • Sadelain’s research established the foundation for CAR-T therapy, including the naming of 'chimeric antigen receptors' and identifying CD19 as a target.
  • The award is funded by Feinstein Institutes board vice chairman Jack Ross and his wife, Robin.

The big picture

The recognition of June and Sadelain underscores the continued importance of CAR-T therapy as a transformative cancer treatment. While early CAR-T therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, the field faces challenges related to cost, toxicity, and limited applicability. The ongoing research and development efforts, as highlighted by this award, are essential for addressing these challenges and expanding the reach of this innovative treatment modality.

What we're watching

Clinical Expansion
The continued expansion of CAR-T therapy beyond leukemia and lymphoma will be crucial for demonstrating broader applicability and justifying ongoing investment in the field.
Regulatory Landscape
The FDA’s evolving regulatory framework for cell and gene therapies will significantly impact the speed and cost of bringing new CAR-T therapies to market.
Competitive Dynamics
Competition among pharmaceutical companies developing next-generation CAR-T therapies will intensify, potentially driving down prices and impacting profitability.

Endometriosis Diagnostic Test Advances with $850,000 NIH Funding

Event summary

  • The Feinstein Institutes’ ROSE study is developing a non-invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis using menstrual blood.
  • The study has enrolled over 3,700 participants and is in Phase II clinical trials, comparing test results to surgical findings.
  • The ROSE team received $850,000 in prize funding from the NIH’s RADx Tech program, building on previous awards.
  • The ultimate goal is FDA approval for the test, aiming to reduce the average 6+ years women currently wait for a diagnosis.

The big picture

The diagnostic delay for endometriosis represents a significant unmet medical need, impacting millions of women globally and contributing to substantial healthcare costs. The ROSE study’s progress highlights the growing trend towards non-invasive diagnostics and personalized medicine in women’s health, potentially disrupting the traditional surgical-dependent diagnostic pathway. Success here could create a template for similar diagnostic advancements in other chronic conditions with delayed diagnoses.

What we're watching

Regulatory Pathway
The success of the ROSE study hinges on navigating the FDA approval process, which could be lengthy and require significant additional data demonstrating accuracy and clinical utility.
Clinical Adoption
Widespread adoption of the test will depend on physician buy-in and integration into standard gynecological practice, which may face resistance or require significant education.
Commercialization
Northwell Innovations' ability to effectively commercialize the test, including establishing distribution channels and pricing strategies, will be critical to recouping the substantial research investment.

Brain Structure Predicts Youth Impulsivity, Potential for Precision Mental Health

Event summary

  • Feinstein Institutes researchers have identified neuroanatomical patterns that predict impulsivity in youth, published in *Molecular Psychiatry*.
  • The study analyzed data from over 8,600 youth participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.
  • Researchers used machine learning to correlate brain structure (cortical thickness, surface area, gray matter volume) with self-reported impulsivity measures.
  • Findings reveal sex-specific patterns and associations with key brain networks, including the default mode, limbic, and visual networks.
  • The research suggests that overall brain structure is a more consistent indicator of impulsivity than short-term structural changes.

The big picture

This research underscores the growing trend toward precision medicine in mental health, leveraging neuroimaging and machine learning to identify biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and targeted treatment. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study represents a significant investment in longitudinal brain research, and these findings highlight the potential for large-scale datasets to unlock new insights into complex neurological conditions. The potential for device-based therapies, while speculative, reflects a broader push to combine neuroscience with technological solutions for mental health challenges.

What we're watching

Clinical Translation
The feasibility of translating these neuroanatomical signatures into practical diagnostic tools and personalized interventions for mental health disorders remains to be seen, particularly given the complexity of brain-behavior relationships.
Longitudinal Validation
While the study suggests stable brain structure is a better predictor than short-term changes, future research should investigate whether longitudinal changes in impulsivity *do* correlate with specific, subtle neuroanatomical shifts over time.
Device Integration
The prospect of ‘device-based therapies’ to re-engineer brain circuits, as mentioned by Dr. Malhotra, faces significant technological and regulatory hurdles, and the timeline for such interventions is highly uncertain.

Feinstein Institutes Identifies Early Brain Biomarkers for Liver Failure

Event summary

  • Feinstein Institutes researchers have developed a non-invasive brain scan technique (microPET with dual radiotracer) to detect early warning signs of brain damage in acute liver injury (ALI) and acute liver failure (ALF).
  • The study, published in *Theranostics* on March 2, 2026, focused on a mouse model of acetaminophen-induced ALI and identified changes in brain energy metabolism, neuroinflammation, and neuronal connectivity.
  • The technique identifies “neuroinflammetabolic” hotspots in regions like the thalamus, hippocampus, and cerebellum, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy.
  • Researchers collaborated with David Eidelberg, An Vo, Yilong Ma, and Joseph Carrion, leveraging the Institute of Molecular Medicine and microPET lab.

The big picture

The development of non-invasive diagnostic tools for neurological complications of systemic diseases represents a growing area of focus within precision medicine. Early detection of hepatic encephalopathy is critical, as delayed diagnosis significantly worsens patient outcomes and increases healthcare costs. This research positions the Feinstein Institutes at the forefront of bioelectronic medicine, a field with the potential to revolutionize diagnostics and therapeutics for a range of conditions.

What we're watching

Clinical Validation
The efficacy of this non-invasive technique will depend on successful validation in human clinical trials, which will determine its sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing hepatic encephalopathy.
Commercialization
The Feinstein Institutes will need to secure intellectual property and licensing agreements to facilitate the commercialization of this diagnostic tool, potentially through partnerships with medical device or pharmaceutical companies.
Broader Application
The applicability of this ‘neuroinflammetabolic’ signature approach to other neurological complications of systemic illness, such as sepsis, will likely be a key area of future research and expansion.

Feinstein Institutes Scientists Recognized for Patent Portfolio Growth

Event summary

  • Four scientists from the Feinstein Institutes – Lior Brimberg, Jared M. Huston, Stavros Zanos, and Theodoros Zanos – were named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in February 2026.
  • The NAI Senior Member class comprises 230 individuals holding over 2,000 U.S. patents collectively.
  • The NAI has over 945 Senior Members holding more than 11,000 U.S. patents.
  • Yousef Al-Abed, PhD, was previously named a Fellow of the NAI in 2024.

The big picture

The recognition highlights the growing importance of intellectual property as a key driver of value for research institutions. The NAI Senior Member program's expansion to 230 members underscores a broader trend of incentivizing and rewarding translational research. This focus on patenting and commercialization is increasingly critical for research institutions to secure funding and demonstrate impact in a competitive landscape.

What we're watching

Commercialization
The recognition by NAI signals a focus on translating research into commercial products, and the success of these patents will be a key indicator of the Institutes' overall impact.
Funding
Increased visibility through NAI membership could attract additional grant funding and partnerships, accelerating the Institutes' research pipeline.
Bioelectronic Medicine
The Institutes' stated leadership in bioelectronic medicine suggests a concentrated effort; the market adoption of technologies stemming from this focus will determine its long-term strategic value.

Brain Circuit Discovery Links Inflammation, Stress, Opens Bioelectronic Therapy Door

Event summary

  • Feinstein Institutes researchers identified a specific brain circuit that controls both inflammation and stress responses.
  • The research, led by Sangeeta S. Chavan and Okito Hashimoto, was published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
  • The circuit involves neurons that produce corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and are activated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β).
  • Ablation of these neurons protected from inflammation and heart rate changes during stress, even with stress hormones present.
  • The findings suggest the concept of an 'immune engram,' a neural memory of inflammatory experiences.

The big picture

The discovery underscores the growing recognition of the brain's central role in regulating the immune system and physical health, a key driver behind the burgeoning field of bioelectronic medicine. This research validates the Feinstein Institutes' focus on combining neuroscience, molecular medicine, and biomedical engineering to develop novel therapies, potentially disrupting traditional pharmaceutical approaches for inflammatory and stress-related conditions. The 'immune engram' concept, if validated further, could fundamentally alter our understanding of chronic disease progression.

What we're watching

Therapeutic Translation
The speed at which this circuit's identification translates into viable bioelectronic therapies will depend on preclinical validation and regulatory pathways, potentially impacting Northwell's bioelectronic medicine program.
Commercialization Risk
The development of neuromodulation devices targeting this pathway faces execution risk, including device efficacy, patient adoption, and reimbursement challenges, which could affect the broader bioelectronic medicine field.
Competitive Landscape
Other research groups will likely investigate similar brain-immune connections, potentially leading to competing therapies and intellectual property disputes within the bioelectronic medicine space.

Feinstein Institutes Reengineers Sepsis-Linked Peptide into Potential Dual Therapy

Event summary

  • Feinstein Institutes researchers, led by Haichao Wang, PhD, have developed a drug discovery strategy transforming a previously identified immune element into a potential therapeutic.
  • The strategy utilizes a peptide, P2-1, derived from an antibody epitope initially linked to worsened sepsis outcomes, targeting a common inflammatory pathway in sepsis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • The research, published in *Military Medical Research* on February 18, 2026, builds upon existing anti-TNF drug mechanisms.
  • The treatment is 'activated by disease,' targeting overactive inflammatory pathways while sparing beneficial immune signals.

The big picture

The discovery represents a significant shift in sepsis research, moving away from solely addressing the condition's symptoms and towards targeting the underlying immune dysregulation. Sepsis, accounting for nearly 20% of global deaths, and RA, a chronic autoimmune disease, represent substantial unmet medical needs with limited treatment options. This approach, leveraging insights from existing anti-TNF therapies, could potentially unlock a new class of targeted immunotherapies with broader applicability beyond these two conditions.

What we're watching

Clinical Trials
The success of this approach hinges on translating the preclinical findings into effective and safe clinical trials for both sepsis and RA, a historically challenging endeavor.
Regulatory Pathway
Given the complexity of sepsis and autoimmune diseases, the regulatory pathway for this novel therapy will likely be rigorous, requiring extensive data demonstrating efficacy and safety.
Commercialization
Northwell Health's ability to secure partnerships or licensing agreements will be crucial for the widespread commercialization and accessibility of this potential treatment, given the Feinstein Institutes' non-profit status.

Feinstein Institutes' Bioelectronic Medicine Research Earns TIME Recognition

Event summary

  • Kevin J. Tracey, President and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, has been named an “Innovator” on TIME’s 2026 Health list.
  • Tracey’s research pioneered bioelectronic medicine, combining neuroscience, immunology, and engineering to treat disease with technology.
  • Northwell Health became the first health system to treat a patient with an FDA-approved vagus nerve stimulation device for rheumatoid arthritis in July 2025.
  • TIME recognized Northwell in its 2025 Most Influential Companies list and its ‘double neural bypass’ innovation in the TIME Hall of Fame.

The big picture

The recognition validates the growing field of bioelectronic medicine, which represents a potential paradigm shift away from traditional pharmaceutical interventions. Northwell’s early adoption and investment in this area positions it as a leader, but the long-term success depends on demonstrating clinical efficacy and economic value. The TIME recognition provides a significant boost to the Institutes’ profile and could accelerate fundraising and partnerships.

What we're watching

Commercialization
The success of bioelectronic medicine hinges on the continued FDA approval and adoption of new therapies, and Northwell’s ability to scale its Center for Bioelectronic Medicine will be a key indicator.
Reimbursement
The financial viability of bioelectronic therapies will depend on securing favorable reimbursement rates from insurers, which could be a significant hurdle given the novelty of the treatment approach.
Competitive Landscape
While Tracey’s work is foundational, other research groups and companies will likely pursue similar bioelectronic approaches, potentially intensifying competition and impacting Northwell’s market position.

Feinstein Institutes Researcher Elected to Top Behavioral Medicine Body

Event summary

  • Stephanie L. Fitzpatrick, PhD, has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research (ABMR).
  • Dr. Fitzpatrick is a clinical health psychologist and researcher at Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.
  • She has secured over $12 million in federally- and foundation-funded grants and authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles.
  • Dr. Fitzpatrick also serves as president of the Society for Health Psychology, a role she assumed in August 2024.
  • Her work focuses on improving access to chronic disease prevention and management programs, particularly for marginalized communities.

The big picture

The recognition of Dr. Fitzpatrick highlights the growing importance of behavioral science in addressing chronic disease and health disparities. This trend is fueled by increasing pressure on healthcare systems to improve outcomes and reduce costs, and a greater focus on social determinants of health. Her leadership positions within key organizations suggest a potential shift towards more evidence-based and equitable healthcare delivery models.

What we're watching

Funding Trends
The continued success of Dr. Fitzpatrick’s grant acquisition will be a key indicator of the Feinstein Institutes’ ability to secure funding for behavioral science research, especially given the focus on health equity initiatives.
Program Adoption
The DECIDE® Self-management Program's adoption rate and demonstrated impact on patient outcomes will be critical for justifying further investment and expansion of similar interventions.
Leadership Impact
Dr. Fitzpatrick’s influence on the Society for Health Psychology and its advocacy efforts will likely shape the direction of behavioral medicine research and policy in the coming years.
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