GSF: Virology & Infectious Diseases RFP - SPEARHEAD 2.0 HDV Grant

The GSF: Virology & Infectious Diseases RFP - SPEARHEAD 2.0 HDV aims to address the critical need for enhanced screening and linkage to care for chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) among hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients. With a significant global prevalence of HDV and high underdiagnosis rates, Gilead Sciences is inviting proposals for research projects that improve screening practices. The program supports projects up to $200,000, emphasizing timely and impactful outcomes within 18 months.

NOTE: Please apply by 23:59 PM (in your time zone) before the submission window closes.
Chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is the most severe form of viral hepatitis, occurring in some patients who are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV leads to a rapid progression of liver disease, increasing the risk of cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, liver transplant, HCC, and mortality compared to HBV alone. The global prevalence of HDV is estimated to be between 5% to 13% in HBsAg-positive patients, accounting for 12 to 60 million infected individuals worldwide. However, HDV is largely underdiagnosed due to due to the lack of universal testing of HBV-positive individuals for HDV. Given the disease severity and general underdiagnosis of HDV, there is an unmet need for enhanced screening and linkage to care in those with HBV.
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) recommends HDV screening for all patients infected with HBV. Even with this guideline recommendation in place, recent data from Europe have demonstrated that a large proportion of HBV patients remain untested for HDV. Interventions such as the implementation of reflex testing have shown to be effective at significantly improving screening practice leading to the identification of previously undiagnosed patients.
Gilead may provide research funds for screening & testing support only if it is an essential component of a valid study design to address the research needs outlined in the RFP. Gilead will not consider proposals that request HDV study drug and is not seeking studies that focus on treatment outcomes. Proposals should be treatment/drug agnostic.
Funding
To understand and address barriers to HDV screening and linkage to care, Gilead launched the SPEARHEAD RFP program in 2022 in the US, extended the program to Europe in 2023, and globally in 2024. The program has been relaunched this year with updated research objectives and will support individual projects up to 200,000 USD. Projects greater than 200,000 USD will require discussion with Gilead before submission.
Applications should include projects that can be completed within 18 months and demonstrate clear objectives, include defined timelines, offer a comprehensive operational plan, propose data that have relevance to the medical community and policymakers, and includes plans for the data to be submitted to relevant congresses and journals. The program is open to applications from all countries; however, special emphasis will be placed on geographies with high HDV burden and in countries where treatment for HDV is available.