C-Path’s TRxA announces its first biologics-focused RFP for academic investigators

TUCSON, Ariz, May 20, 2024 – Critical Path Institute’s (C-Path) Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRxA) today announced its inaugural biologics-focused Request for Proposals (RFP) in its Bridging Research and Innovation in Drug Development Grants program (BioBRIDGe). BioBRIDGe awards are designed to help academic researchers traverse the drug development valley of death by providing funding and defining optimal strategies for advancing new, cutting-edge protein-based therapeutics (PBT) from the lab to patients.  

For this funding cycle, TRxA is accepting proposals for PBT projects focused on rare and orphan disease, neurodegeneration, and pediatric indications. Eligible platforms include: 

• Peptides or proteins 
• Regular, bivalent or trivalent antibodies 
• Antibody-drug conjugates 

Maaike Everts, Ph.D., Executive Director of C-Path’s TRxA, expressed her enthusiasm for the program’s expansion into biologics, stating, “The impactful progress in our currently funded projects in small molecules serves as a testament to the power of collaboration in drug discovery and development. We look forward to expanding into biologics, with protein-based therapeutics representing exciting platforms that exemplify the next generation of life changing medicines.” 

As a drug accelerator within C-Path, TRxA provides the following for principal investigators who are selected to receive a BioBRIDGe award: 

• Tactical and strategic drug discovery and development expertise, including regulatory science considerations. 
• Resources and hands-on guidance, working closely with academic researchers to develop comprehensive data packages for potential drug candidates, a key to garnering interest from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to invest in clinical trials. 
• Engagement of contract research organizations (CRO) to perform critical discovery phase experiments and/or validate academic studies. 

Pre-proposal applications must be submitted online here and will be accepted through June 27, 2024, at midnight in the time zone you are located. More information about this funding opportunity is available in TRxA’s BioBRIDGe Guidance Document for Applicants.  

To learn more, visit c-path.org/programs/trxa or email TRxA at trxa@c-path.org. 

About Critical Path Institute 

Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is an independent, nonprofit established in 2005 as a public-private partnership, in response to the FDA’s Critical Path Initiative. C-Path’s mission is to lead collaborations that advance better treatments for people worldwide. Globally recognized as a pioneer in accelerating drug development, C-Path has established numerous international consortia, programs and initiatives that currently include more than 1,600 scientists and representatives from government and regulatory agencies, academia, patient organizations, disease foundations and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. With dedicated team members located throughout the world, C-Path’s global headquarters is located in Tucson, Arizona and C-Path’s Europe subsidiary is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. For more information, visit c-path.org. 

About Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRxA) 

Critical Path Institute’s Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRxA) is a global drug accelerator focused on supporting academic scientists in advancing novel therapeutics from university-based labs to drug development pipelines of pharmaceutical companies and, ultimately, the clinic. As a nonprofit neutral convener of patient groups, academia, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies, C-Path brings a breadth of scientific and drug development planning not available in other accelerator programs. TRxA is uniquely situated to leverage the expertise available through C-Path’s >20 disease-based consortia, as well as regulatory expertise and project management, to empower academic investigators to succeed in bringing safe and effective treatments to patients. For more information, visit c-path.org/trxa or email trxa@c-path.org.

 Contacts:

Roxan Triolo Olivas
C-Path
520.954.1634
rolivas@c-path.org

Kissy Black
C-Path
615.310.1894
kblack@c-path.org