Research

    Investigator Initiated Studies (IIS) Program

    Philip Morris International (PMI) recognizes that independent research is critical to a thorough assessment of the risk reduction potential of smoke-free products. This is why we support IIS on our products, conducted by qualified third-party investigators.

    What is the IIS program?

    IIS are research efforts in which the investigator:

    • Independently initiates, designs, and publishes the research, with corresponding raw data

    • Acts as study sponsor and assumes all regulatory and legal responsibilities

    The goal of the IIS program (whose scope includes aerosol chemistry, toxicology, systems biology, preclinical, and clinical studies) is to promote and support external research on smoke-free products that independently advances and verifies PMI’s science. To this end, PMI offers limited support through the IIS program, which may include supply of products and financial support.

    Why is the IIS program important?

    External verification of our science is an important part of PMI’s goal of becoming a substantially smoke-free company by 2030. External verification increases credibility and trust in PMI’s science. This is why the IIS program adheres to industry standards on independence and transparency, including:

    Learn more about our IIS program

    You can learn more below about the studies supported so far, and review the publications produced by investigators supported by this program, in the tables below.

    The application process

    The application process begins with a concept proposal. The institution/investigator conceives and conceptualizes the research concept and submits it to PMI using the concept template.  

    The concept is evaluated to ensure that it is in scope and there is no conflict of interest. It will also be evaluated on factors including:

    • Scientific strength: Is it advancing or validating the scientific knowledge? Is the design of the study scientifically robust and does it answer the research question?

    • Scientific credibility: The institution and investigator's qualifications and expertise

    • Scientific impact: The type of study, the concept proposal is in line with Philip Morris Products S.A. (PMPSA) strategy and research area of interest

    • Compliance with regulatory and legal framework and testing guidelines

    • Type of support requested: Financial versus product supply 

    If PMI accepts the concept, the institution/investigator will then be requested to develop a full protocol and submit it to PMI. At this stage, PMI will consider the scientific capability, including resources capabilities and research network of the investigator, as well as the scientific rigor, quality standards, and data integrity of the proposal.

    If the protocol is accepted, a standard IIS agreement is put in place and the research can be initiated. The steps of the IIS application process are illustrated below.

    IIS Program

    Apply for the IIS program

    We invite interested institutions/investigators to submit a study concept proposal to the IIS program. 

     

    These are the following steps for applying:

    1. Download and read the guidelines for the IIS program. Find the guidelines here.

    2. Fill out the short IIS concept proposal submission template. Find the template here.

    3. Complete the terms and conditions form. Find the form here.

    4. Submit the concept proposal, completed terms and conditions form, CV (find the CV template here), and any questions about the submission process, via email to iis.pmi@pmi.com. 

    Multiple transparent test tubes in laboratory.
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    PMIScience.com is operated by Philip Morris International for the purpose of publishing and disseminating scientific information about Philip Morris International’s efforts in support of its smoke-free product portfolio. This site is a global site for use by scientists, the public health and regulatory communities, and other stakeholders with an interest in tobacco policy. The purpose of this site is not advertising or marketing, nor is it directed at any specific market. It is not intended for use by consumers. New tobacco products sold in the United States are subject to FDA regulation; therefore the content of this site is not intended to make, and nor should it be construed as making, any product related claims in the United States without proper FDA authorization. ​
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    Reduced Risk Products ("RRPs”) is the term we use to refer to products that present, are likely to present, or have the potential to present less risk of harm to smokers who switch to these products versus continuing smoking. PMI has a range of RRPs in various stages of development, scientific assessment and commercialization. All of our RRPs are smoke-free products that deliver nicotine with far lower quantities of harmful and potentially harmful constituents than found in cigarette smoke.