NEW YORK CITY, NY (July 25, 2007) – The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias invite scientists from the biotechnology industry and academia worldwide to apply for a new collaborative research grant award entitled Frontotemporal Dementia Drug Discovery Program. The goal of the program is to catalyze and fund the discovery and development of effective therapies for frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

The total pool of grant funds available for fiscal year 2008 is $300,000. Applications may be submitted by non-profit academic institutions and for-profit public and private biotechnology companies. Only research programs with lead compounds are eligible. Requests for basic research funding will not be accepted. Funds may be used for advancing the development of lead compounds through pre-clinical in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation including pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, formulation chemistry and the conduct of pre-clinical proof of concept studies. Programs requesting funds to support the development and testing of targeted gene delivery strategies and biomarkers to accelerate early diagnosis will also be accepted.

Applications are available at www.alzdiscovery.org. The submission deadline date is October 15, 2007. Applications will be reviewed by an independent Scientific Review Committee convened by ADDF/AFTD and comprised of leading experts in the neurodegenerative disease drug discovery and development research field and biotechnology investment community. Selections will be made by January 15, 2008 and funding will be awarded on April 15. Criteria for selection is based on the merit and feasibility of the proposed research and its relevance to drug discovery and development for the treatment of AFTD, the qualifications of the scientific staff conducting the study, the excellence of the research environment including the availability of working with a multidisciplinary research team, and the likelihood of advancing the field.

For more information, contact ADDF Executive Director Howard Fillit, MD, at 212-935-2402 or hfillit@alzdiscovery.org.

About the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is a public charity established in 2004 to expand upon the programs initiated by the Institute for the Study of Aging (ISOA), a private foundation founded by the Estee Lauder family in 1998. Our sole mission is to accelerate drug discovery research to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease, related dementias and cognitive aging through venture philanthropy. To date, ADDF and ISOA have awarded $28.7 million for 195 research programs and conferences worldwide.

About the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia
The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD) is a nationwide non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and fund research into finding the cause and cure for the frontotemporal dementias; to provide information, education, and support to persons diagnosed with frontotemporal dementias (FTD) and their families and caregivers; and to educate physicians and allied health professionals about FTD. In addition to providing funding for this drug discovery program, AFTD continues to fund basic and clinical research that is essential to improving our understanding of this relatively rare, but significant disease. For more information about The AFTD, visit www.ftd-picks.org.

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ADDF Contact: David DiVincenzo
Development Associate
(212)901-8011/ddivincenzo@alzdiscovery.org