Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network; brain tumor related cellular immunotherapy

(a) In general Subpart 1 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 417H. Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network (a) In general The Director of the Institute shall carry out a research program, known as the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network, by awarding, on a competitive basis, cooperative agreements, or other awards, through the U19 funding mechanism of the National Institutes of Health for collaboration of institutions to improve the treatment of glioblastoma by evaluating therapeutic agents from pre-clinical development studies through completion of early-phase clinical trials in humans. (b) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended, to the Director of the Institute to carry out this section. 417I. Brain tumor related cellular immunotherapy (a) In general In order to take advantage of significant advancement in the development of brain tumor related cellular immunotherapy, including chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T), which may include approaches previously funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Institute shall make awards, on a competitive basis, through a U series funding mechanism, to support the development of a multi-institutional team science approach to using brain tumor related cancer cellular immunotherapy, including CAR-T treatment, for adult and pediatric brain tumors. (b) Use of funds Funds received through an award under this section shall be used— (1) to support collaborative multi-institutional research activities, including pre-clinical and investigational new drug studies; and (2) for the purpose of supporting clinical trials to evaluate brain tumor related cancer cellular immunotherapy, including CAR-T. (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended, to the Director of the Institute to carry out this section.. (b) Transition for the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall take such steps as may be necessary for the orderly transition from the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network carried out by the Director, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, to the research program authorized under section 417H of the Public Health Service Act, as added by subsection (a). In making such transition, the Director shall ensure that the program authorized under such section 417H is based upon and consistent with the policies and procedures of the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network carried out by the Director as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act.