Skip to Content
Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP)
Contact DTP
Show menu
Search this site
Last Updated: 01/31/24

Procedure to Obtain Vialed Samples


Currently, the NCI is not distributing research samples from the Open Chemicals Repository Collection, which includes all vialed samples and plated sets, to investigators outside of the United States and U.S. Territories.

The Developmental Therapeutics Program makes available samples of select agents in small amounts from our Open Chemical Repository compounds for non-clinical research purposes to investigators worldwide. Researchers should determine the research requirements, and then request the minimum amount of each compound. Although there is no fee for each sample, researcher recipients are required to cover shipping charges by supplying an account number from FedEx.

DTP distributes samples from the Open Chemical Repository exclusively through a web-based ordering system. Each request for samples will be considered based on various factors, including current inventory and the information provided by researchers in the "assay description" field justifying the quantities being sought. Requesters will need to provide significant experimental details to justify the release of amounts that would exceed a typical in vitro assay (>10 mg). Samples of most FDA-approved oncology drugs are available in 5 mg quantities.

Please note that an individual with the appropriate signatory authority from the investigator’s organization will be required to accept an online Simple Letter of Agreement (SLA) for material transfer before the compound order is forwarded for DTP approval. The SLA appears at the end of the ordering process and will be sent electronically by DTP to the designated signatory authority. Vialed samples or plated sets are generally shipped within a week after approval by DTP staff.

Open Chemical Repository Sample Request Flow Scheme

Requestors should have the following required information prior to starting the ordering process.

  1. Requestor’s contact/shipping information
  2. A 9-digit FedEx number
  3. NSC number of sample (use "Data Search" at DTP homepage)
  4. Amount of sample in milligrams to be requested
  5. Intended use of sample (e.g. CDK screening assay standard)
  6. Contact information, including e-mail, of Organization’s signatory authority for accepting Simple Letter of Agreement for Materials Transfer (SLA)

To request vialed samples, please visit the following link: https://dtp.cancer.gov/RequestCompounds/index.xhtml/

To recognize NCI's contribution, investigators shall add the following statement to the acknowledgement section of their publication:
"The PI wishes to thank the National Cancer Institute Developmental Therapeutics Program (NCI/DTP) https://dtp.cancer.gov for providing screening data of compounds present in this (poster, manuscript, presentation, etc.). Specifically, NSC #: X, Y, Z , etc."

Any technical difficulties encountered with the online submission process should be addressed to:

Stephen L. White, Ph.D.
Drug Synthesis and Chemistry Branch
Developmental Therapeutics Program
National Cancer Institute/NIH
E-mail: whitesl@mail.nih.gov