Our vivid imaginations fuel huge breakthroughs and push pediatric healthcare to new heights.
Connecticut Children’s Research Institute (CCRI) is transforming children’s health and well-being. We stand at the intersection of passion and innovation. From groundbreaking research to real-world impact, our mission is to offer new hope for families and kids everywhere. In our labs, we pioneer life-changing treatments using groundbreaking techniques such as gene therapy, stem cell research and 3D bioprinting. Beyond the lab, we incorporate health equity and mental health research to ensure a holistic approach to pediatric care. We provide advanced care and improved outcomes for children with complex medical conditions collaborating with premier research partners and experts worldwide. By leveraging our deep expertise across five Scientific Centers, CCRI is not only changing healthcare today, but shaping the future of children's health globally. Join us in making a difference for children everywhere—because every child deserves a healthier tomorrow.
We're always thinking about how we can do better, how we can optimize our treatments, how we can optimize the science behind the way we make the diagnosis because our patients and families are at the heart of our mission.
Christine Finck, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief
Key Achievements & Breakthroughs
Our innovative research blazes new boundaries – even going beyond Earth! CCRI scientists sent mice to space to study the effects of microgravity on bone biology, offering valuable insights in bone health that could lead to advancements in pediatric treatments.
CCRI's groundbreaking research has resulted in a patent-pending novel treatment for esophageal atresia, using a bioengineered scaffold seeded with a patient’s own cells to stimulate tissue regeneration and bridge the gap in the esophagus. This marks a significant step toward bringing new, life-changing therapies to children with critical health needs.
Scientists at CCRI are nationally and globally recognized experts in metabolic disorders like Glycogen Storage Disease and gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s Disease, leading pioneering clinical trials to identify new treatment options for children with these devastating illnesses.
Microbiologists and vaccinologists at CCRI have made enormous progress towards the identification of key outer membrane targets in Treponema pallidum, the syphilis bacterium, that can be tested in a new syphilis vaccine.Globally, over 6 million people develop venereal syphilis every year, and more than half a million children are affected by congenital syphilis.Sadly, more than 250,000 infants die each year because of this devastating infection.The development of an effective vaccine is thus a key priority of CCRI’s investigators.
Connecticut Children’s has contributed to advances in spinal muscular atrophy clinical research through participation in an expanded access protocol (compassionate use program) for Zolgensma that led to the FDA approval of the first gene therapy to treat children less than 2 years of age with the most severe form of SMA and a leading genetic cause of infant mortality. Connecticut Children’s has also participated in a clinical trial for Spinraza, leading to the first drug approval for the treatment of SMA in pediatric and adult patients with later onset SMA, improving overall motor function and helping younger patients reach motor milestones.
The kids we treat embolden us to think bigger — beyond imagination.
