Seeking Target-Based Proposals in Dementia and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) is the UK’s leading dementia research charity working to understand and treat the diseases that cause dementia. ARUK has partnered with world leading pharmaceutical companies to form the Dementia Consortium to co-fund research projects in dementia.

The Dementia Consortium is currently seeking innovative target-based research proposals from academic scientists worldwide that aim to validate novel targets for the diseases that cause dementia and with industry support, progress targets to early drug discovery. The most promising targets may progress to pre-clinical and clinical studies. Applications will include an identified novel target with preliminary evidence to support a role for the target in dementia. The approaches considered can cover all aspects of dementia therapy, from treating the underlying pathology to improving cognition and other mental symptoms.

Projects of Interest to the Dementia Consortium

• Projects focused on novel molecular targets in neurodegenerative diseases e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, tauopathies, vascular dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia and Huntington’s disease. 
• Projects focused on targets having a genetic link to dementia and/or targets with available tool molecules are considered high interest.
• Projects with robust preliminary evidence linking the novel target to human disease e.g. evidence that target modulation (genetic or otherwise) may have a therapeutic effect.

Out of Scope

• Projects focused on well-studied targets and pathways for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Projects with advanced chemistry e.g. lead/candidate molecules already synthesised and requiring only in vivo pharmacokinetic studies, preclinical proof-of-concept studies or IND-enabling studies.
• Repurposing of existing drugs is not in scope (although optimisation of tool/literature compounds to improve selectivity, potency, bioavailability, and novel use of tools for target validation will be considered).
• Non-pharmacological interventions e.g. behavioural changes.

Opportunity for Collaboration

The Dementia Consortium is looking to provide funding and to provide collaborative access to expert industry support for research projects up to 3 years’ duration. Funding available depends on specific project requirements but is typically between £200,000 and £1 million per project. Please follow links for Application Form and Essential Information.