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Accelerating Drug Discovery for FTD

See Active Accelerating Drug Discovery for FTD Award Recipients

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.

View 2024 Accelerating Drug Discovery for FTD RFP here.

Timeline — 2024 Awards

  • March 2024: RFP posted
  • May 13, 2024: Deadline for submission of  LOIs
  • July 22, 2024: Deadline for submission of invited full proposals
  • December 2024–January 2025: Notification of awards

Applications are reviewed by ADDF and an external Scientific Review Committee, including members of the AFTD Medical Advisory Council. Applications from biotechnology companies will also be reviewed by ADDF’s Business Advisory Board.

Contacts

For program-related inquiries, please contact:

For application submission inquiries, please contact:

Visit the ADDF website for additional information.

See Active Accelerating Drug Discovery for FTD Award Recipients