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Accelerating Drug Discovery for FTD
Through this program, AFTD, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), seeks to advance and support innovative small molecule and biologic (antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides, gene therapy) drug discovery programs for FTD.
Current funding priorities for this program include:
- Lead optimization of novel disease-modifying compounds (e.g., medicinal chemistry refinement, in vitro ADME)
- In vivo testing of novel lead compounds, biologics, vaccines or repurposed drug candidates in relevant animal models for pharmacokinetics, dose-range finding, target engagement, in vivo efficacy, and/or preliminary rodent tolerability studies.
This program does NOT support:
- Target identification/validation
- Assay development
- High-throughput/high-content screening
Award Details
- Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of follow-on funding.
- Award amount (USD): $300,000 - $350,000, depending on the stage and scope of the research. Slightly larger budgets can be considered – contact AFTD or ADDF to discuss.
- Application of funds: Funding through this program supports approved personnel costs, supplies (e.g., consumables, chemicals, animals), small non-durable equipment up to $2,500, consultants, and patient costs related to clinical trials.
Funding is not provided for indirect costs/overhead, capital equipment, equipment service contracts, publication costs, or travel (unless pre-approved under special circumstances).
Who can apply?
U.S. and international investigators working at:
- Academic medical centers and universities; nonprofits. Industry partnerships are encouraged.
- Biotechnology companies (existing companies or new spinouts) that demonstrate a clear need for nonprofit funding. Funding is provided through mission-related investments (MRIs) that require return on investment based upon scientific and/or business milestones. Existing companies and new spinouts are both eligible.
Timeline
This application cycle typically opens in the spring (~March), with an LOI submission date in mid-May. For all current details and the RFP, see the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation webpage for this program.
Contacts
For program-related inquiries, please contact:
- Nicole Bjorklund, PhD, Director of Research & Grants, AFTD
Email: nbjorklund@theaftd.org - Meriel Owen, PhD, Director, Search & Evaluation
Email: mowen@alzdiscovery.org
For application submission inquiries, please contact:
- Grants and Mission-Related Investments Team, ADDF
Email: grants@alzdiscovery.org
Visit the ADDF website for additional information.