NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Grand Challenge: Developing Novel Drugs for Disorders of the Nervous System (U01)

Post Date

May 5th 2010

Application Due Date

August 10th 2010

Funding Opportunity Number

RFA-NS-11-002

CFDA Number(s)

93.113
93.121
93.173
93.213
93.242
93.273
93.279
93.286
93.361
93.389
93.853
93.859
93.865
93.866
93.867

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Cooperative Agreement

Funding Activity Categories

Education
Environment
Health
Income Security and Social Services

Eligibility Categories

Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
Non-Profits With 501 (c) (3) Status With The IRS (Except Higher Education Institutions)
Non-Profits Without 501 (c) (3) Status With The IRS (Except Higher Education Institutions)
Private Institutions of Higher Education
For-Profit Organizations (Except Small Businesses)
Small Businesses
Other

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) .

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $1750000

• Award Range:

  $None - $None

Grant Description

Purpose. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces a unique opportunity for investigators working with molecular probe compounds to gain access to a robust virtual pharma drug development network to develop neurotherapeutic drugs. Successful applicants to this initiative will be collaborative participants in this network, receiving both funding and no-cost access to contracted drug development services that are not typically available to the NIH-funded research community. Funding will be provided through a U01 cooperative agreement to conduct biological testing of compound analogs in disease assays and models in the investigators laboratory. No-cost drug development services will also be provided, including medicinal chemistry optimization, IND-directed pharmacology and toxicology, and Phase I clinical testing. Researchers who have disease assays and small molecule compounds that show promise for treating nervous system and psychiatric disorders, but that are not yet suitable for clinical testing, are strongly encouraged to apply. Investigators funded through this FOA will be active partners in the design and implementation of the drug development strategy in collaboration with an NIH-appointed advisory panel of drug development experts. This program is structured to allow investigators to maintain control of the intellectual property generated using their assays and starting compounds and to pursue commercialization of compounds that are developed within the program. This program was established by the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience and will consider applications for nervous system disorders within the missions of any of the 16 participating NIH Institutes (http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/blueprint_basics/about_blueprint.htm). Disorders of interest include, but are not limited to, neurological, psychiatric and developmental disorders, dementias of aging, diseases and disorders of the eye or ear, and drug and alcohol dependence and addiction. By initiating development of up to 20 new small-molecule compounds over two years, we anticipate that approximately four compounds will enter Phase 1 clinical trials within this program. The ultimate goals of this Neurotherapeutics Grand Challenge are to produce at least one novel and effective drug for a nervous system disorder that is currently poorly treated and to catalyze industry interest in novel disease targets by demonstrating early-stage success. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Research Project Cooperative Agreement (U01) award mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The participating ICs intend to commit up to $1,750,000 in FY 11 to fund up to 10 awards in the first year of this program. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. It is anticipated that funded projects will carry direct costs of up to $125,000 per year for in vitro and/or in vivo bioactivity screening.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of Health and Human Services

• Office:

  National Institutes of Health

• Agency Contact:

  NIH OER Webmaster
  FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV
  

• Agency Mailing Address:

  If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the NIH OER Webmaster

• Agency Email Address:

  FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV

• More Information:

  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-11-002.html