RFP: Accelerating Drug Discovery For Frontotemporal Degeneration Grant

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) seeks innovative proposals to accelerate drug development for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition lacking FDA-approved treatments. The RFP encourages research into small molecules and biologics targeting key mechanisms behind FTD. With an average award of $300,000-$350,000 for a one-year duration, the initiative prioritizes lead optimization and in vivo testing of promising compounds. Collaborations with academic institutions and biotech firms are encouraged to enhance the potential for impactful therapeutic solutions.

RFP: Accelerating Drug Discovery For Frontotemporal Degeneration
There are currently no FDA approved disease-modifying treatments available for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and symptomatic treatments only provide limited benefit for patients. Recent scientific advances have provided an increased understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying FTD and are driving the development of potential disease-modifying therapies. The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) seek to accelerate this progress by supporting innovative small molecule and biologic (antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides, gene therapy etc.) drug development programs for FTD through this request for proposals (RFP).
Average Duration: 1 year One year with potential for follow-on funding.Average Award: $300,000-$350,000.
The RFP supports
Lead optimization of novel disease-modifying compounds, including medicinal chemistry refinement and 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 RFP does NOT support target identification, target validation, assay development, high-throughput and high-content screening. IND-enabling work is supported through ADDF’s Drug Development RFP.
Drug Targets
Current target areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Autophagy
• Epigenetics
• Genetic Causes of Disease (C9ORF72, MAPT, GRN, etc.)
• Inflammation
• Misfolded proteins (TDP-43, tau, FUS etc.)
• Mitochondria & Metabolic Function
• Neuroprotection
• Proteostasis
• RNA metabolism and splicing
• Stress granule formation and liquid-liquid phase separation
• Synaptic Activity & Neurotransmitters
• Other novel targets or pathways that are supported by compelling evidence that demonstrate a rational biological connection to FTD are encouraged.

Eligibility

Academic medical centers and universities or nonprofits.Biotechnology companies that demonstrate a clear need for nonprofit funding. Existing companies and new spinouts are both eligible.