Funding Priorities for ADDF and ISOA
Grants for Alzheimer's drug discovery are awarded by the Alzheimer's Drug
Discovery Foundation and it's affiliate, the Institute for the Study of Aging.
ADDF and ISOA have a shared mission to catalyze and expedite new drug discovery research for cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease,
both nationally and internationally, in academia and in the biotechnology industry. We believe the time is ripe to translate years of basic research in cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease into clinical application though drug discovery.
The priority areas for grant support are as follows:
- Early identification of cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease
The Institute supports the development of biomarkers, such as advanced brain imaging techniques and blood tests, for the early detection of cognitive aging such as age associated memory impairment and mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The Institute will also support clinical research projects to improve early detection of cognitive impairment through population-based approaches that can impact large numbers of individuals at risk.
- Prevention of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease
The Institute supports clinical research on the prevention of cognitive decline associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease. We provide funding for exploratory "proof of principle" clinical studies in small samples of populations over relatively brief periods of time. The Institute expects that such studies will lead to larger studies to confirm findings obtained by its funding.
- Treatment of cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease
The Institute supports drug discovery and drug development projects for the advancement of new treatments for cognitive decline associated with aging and for Alzheimer's disease. These may include cognitive enhancers and agents for preventing or delaying progression. Our scope includes support for innovative research to discover new treatments. We provide funding for new therapeutic target discovery and target validation; lead discovery and optimization; and preclinical evaluation of lead compounds. The Institute also supports "proof of concept" clinical studies with new compounds ("phase I and II" type studies) and with medications currently approved or marketed for other indications (phase IV or "off-label" studies) where such studies are done
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
- Grant applications are usually solicited by private invitation, however, unsolicited proposals are also accepted. Brief letters of intent are encouraged to determine the Institute’s interest prior to application.
- Grant applications requesting funding for up to two years will be
accepted, however all grants funds are approved for one-year in the first
instance and second year funding is based upon the progress in the proposed research
grant application.
- Grants support is provided for personnel costs, supplies (e.g, consumables, chemicals, animals), small equipment (costing not more than $2,500) and, other costs (e.g. publication costs, sample shipping), consultants and patient costs related to clinical trials.
- Grant support is NOT provided for capital equipment, administrative assistance, equipment service contracts.
- Grants awarded by ADDF and ISOA do not support indirect costs or
travel. Contact James Keller if you have questions regarding indirect costs.
- Funded researchers are required to submit scientific and financial progress reports on a semi-annual basis.
FUNDING MECHANISMS:
ADDF Funded Programs
ADDF grant funding
is provided through a partnership program with Elan Pharmaceuticals through
a Request for Proposals. The objective of this Request for Proposal (RFP)
program for the biotechnology industry and academia is to facilitate the
discovery, development and clinical evaluation of effective therapies for
Alzheimer’s disease. The goal is to catalyze and accelerate the development
of innovative and effective treatments by funding 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.
A funding priority is to support AD discovery
in emerging biotechnology companies.
Further details on this program can be found here.
ISOA Funded Programs
ISOA provides both traditional grants and program related investments (PRI’s) to applicants. PRIs are solely made to biotechnology companies in the form of loans and equity investments. Contact
James Keller for additional details regarding PRIs.
Further details on these programs can be found
here.