Issues of critical importance ranging from protection of the intel- 

 lectual property rights of the supplying country to the responsible 

 methods used to scale up procurement of crude material from the 

 environment were addressed. 



The efforts of the NIH, the Agency for International Develop- 

 ment, the National Science Foundation, and the International Fo- 

 garty Center to protect the interests of developing nations have 

 been internationally recognized, and complemented by collabora- 

 tive research projects. 



The NCI has dedicated intramural scientists who are working to 

 characterize the chemical entities responsible for the desired bio- 

 logical effect in the drug screens, i.e., anti-tumor or anti-HIV ac- 

 tivities. 



I must emphasize, however, that evidence of such anti-tumor or 

 anti-HIV activity in a test tube does not guarantee that a specific 

 agent will become a viable drug candidate. Extensive work is 

 needed to bridge the gap between the initial observation of inter- 

 esting in vitro activity to the point of clinical delivery. 



Resources are needed for initial collection of raw material, recol- 

 lection of promising lead material, processing and chemical isola- 

 tion of purified chemical agents, formulation for clinical delivery, 

 and preclinical pharmacologic and toxicological evaluation prior to 

 human administration. 



We understand that a sense of urgency must be conveyed to 

 those entrusted with these tasks, and also emphasize that concern 

 relating to safety must be paramount in preparing agents for even- 

 tual human administration. 



It is a sense of urgency that prompted the NCI to share its Natu- 

 ral Product Repository with extramural, academic and pharmaceu- 

 tical investigators working to identify promising new agents for 

 these fatal diseases. 



This effort will potentially reduce the uncoordinated collection 

 projects within areas already carefully evaluated by NCI collector 

 scientists. 



In addition, we have strongly supported the National Cooperative 

 Drug Discovery Group Program to enhance the likelihood of suc- 

 cessful drug discovery. Based on this model, which finances com- 

 bined efforts to coordinate academic, pharmaceutical or industrial, 

 and governmental resources, the NIH has worked with other Fed- 

 eral agencies to encourage a program for international drug discov- 

 ery groups searching for therapeutic advances in these fatal dis- 

 eases. 



The unique circumstances surrounding the production of a given 

 natural product with the environment demonstrates the absolute 

 necessity for preservation and conservation of biodiversity. We 

 firmly believe that nature's rich treasure chest of unique chemical 

 compounds must be preserved for the ultimate benefit of mankind. 

 We appreciate the opportunity to answer any questions. 

 Mr. Studds. This is an exercise in humility for us. We are in awe 

 of people who know things. Thank you. 



[The statement of Dr. Grever can be found at the end of the 

 hearing.] 



