Bliss Family Fund to Advance Cellular Therapies for WM
Bliss Family Fund to Advance Cellular Therapies for WM supports investigators testing novel cellular and immune-engaging therapies to improve disease control and achieve deeper, more durable remissions.
Funder: International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation
Due Dates: September 9, 2026 (RFP opens) | November 9, 2026 (RFP closes) | Mid- to late January 2027 (Award notification) | Rolling (Subsequent reviews four times yearly)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,000,000 USD over 2–4 years
Summary: Supports investigator-initiated clinical trials of novel cellular immunotherapies and immune-redirection strategies for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
Key Information: PIs must be full-time, independent investigators at academic nonprofit institutions conducting oncology clinical research.
Description
The Bliss Family and the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF) support investigator-initiated trials of distinctly novel cellular and immune-engaging therapies for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM). Eligible approaches include autologous or allogeneic cell therapies, CAR-T and CAR-NK platforms, bispecific and trispecific immune engagers, dual-target or next-generation engineered cells, and rational immune-based combinations grounded in strong scientific and clinical rationale.
The program seeks meaningful patient benefit within 3–5 years, including deeper and more durable remissions, complete responses, MRD-negativity, and improved disease control. Trials should establish clinical proof-of-concept in a limited number of patients to justify larger studies. Strategies addressing WM-associated immune dysfunction, T-cell exhaustion, immune paresis, or the immune microenvironment are also of interest, including sequencing approaches and earlier intervention in high-risk populations. Appropriate correlative studies are welcome.
