Accelerating Drug Discovery for Frontotemporal Degeneration
Funds innovative preclinical drug discovery projects for frontotemporal degeneration, prioritizing small molecules and biologics with strong scientific rationale and focus on disease-relevant mechanisms.
Funder: Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
Due Dates: May 11, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | July 20, 2026 (Invited full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Average award: $300,000; typical duration: 1 year with potential for follow-on funding.
Summary: Supports innovative drug discovery and preclinical development for frontotemporal degeneration, emphasizing small molecules and biologics with robust scientific rationale.
Description
This funding opportunity is designed to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics for frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a group of neurodegenerative disorders with limited treatment options. The program backs drug discovery and preclinical development projects focused on small molecules, antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides, and gene therapies. Proposals should emphasize lead optimization, medicinal chemistry, in vitro ADME, and in vivo efficacy or pharmacokinetic studies in relevant animal models. Projects with strong preliminary data, clear strategies for target engagement and biomarker development, and a robust biological rationale are encouraged.
Priority areas include, but are not limited to: autophagy, epigenetics, genetic causes (e.g., C9ORF72, MAPT, GRN), inflammation, misfolded proteins (TDP-43, tau, FUS), mitochondria, neuroprotection, proteostasis, RNA metabolism, stress granule formation, synaptic activity, and other novel targets with a strong link to FTD pathophysiology.
