The APEX Collaborative will promote and carry out fundamental, translational, and clinical research in the fields of the Porphyrias and heme biosynthesis, and increase knowledge of the porphyrias among physicians and scientists. The Collaborative will facilitate best practices in the diagnosis, management and treatment of the eight major porphyrias and their variants by facilitating, and coordinating expert activities in the United States and by developing collaborative arrangements with expert porphyria groups worldwide.