Chiesi Launch Initiative to Support Academic Research in Sweden
Chiesi Global Rare Disease is excited to announce and launch an academic request for proposal (RFP) for early-stage projects with clear therapeutic potential. The objective is to award funds to support pre-clinical research focused on the treatment of rare metabolic diseases, as today patients suffering from such rare diseases often lack effective treatments.
For example, the medical need is very high for treatments of inborn errors of metabolism including a group of diseases defined as lysosomal storage disorders. Lysosomal storage disorders are a group of rare genetic conditions that are like having a defect in the body's recycling system. This leads to the harmful accumulation of materials that should have been broken down and processed. Specific focus will be placed on projects addressing difficult to reach organs such as the brain, bone, and skeletal or cardiac muscle and utilizing advanced or novel approaches such as gene therapy, gene editing, RNA-based therapies or cell therapies.
“As we advance our pipeline in rare diseases to address significant unmet patient needs, we believe leveraging innovative technology platforms can provide the essential differentiation and clinical impact to turn great science into great products” stated Dr Claes Andersson Head of Discovery & Early Research, GRD R&D. In terms of the geographical focus of the RFP, Dr Anderson explained that “Building on our established R&D presence in the Karolinska Science Park in Stockholm, we continue to enrich our network of collaborations in the local ecosystem, and such collaborations with the Swedish academic science base represent a significant and mutual value-adding mechanism.”
The RFP is being launched in September 2024. The first step in the process is submission of a brief pre-proposal with an October 31st deadline. Following a favorable review of the pre-proposal, selected investigators will be invited to submit a more comprehensive full proposal. Awardees will then be chosen from a shortlist of promising full proposals and will be notified in early 2025. Funding up to 2.8M SEK will be available per project.
“Dr David Lough, Head of Academic Partnerships, Center of Open Innovation & Competence at Chiesi emphasized that “Delivering impactful therapeutics to under-served rare disease patient populations is a priority for Chiesi and this often demands access to novel technology platforms, which we believe can come from accelerating cutting-edge academic science” He continued “This is the latest in a positive series of RFPs which we have launched and executed to further expand our open innovation approach and culture”.
For more information on the program please contact us at AcademicRFP@Chiesi.com
Stockholm September 2024
About Chiesi Group
Chiesi is an international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals group that develops and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialty care. The company’s mission is to improve people’s quality of life and act responsibly towards both the community and the environment.
By changing its legal status to a Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US, and France, Chiesi’s commitment to create shared value for society as a whole is legally binding and central to company-wide decision-making. As a certified B Corp since 2019, we’re part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. The company aims at becoming net-zero by 2035.
With over 85 years of experience, Chiesi is headquartered in Parma (Italy), operates in 30 countries, and counts more than 6,000 employees. The Group’s research and development centre in Parma works alongside 6 other important R&D hubs in France, the US, Canada, China, the UK, and Sweden.
For further information please visit https://www.chiesipharma.se/forskning-utveckling/sponsrade-akademiska-samarbeten/
8493.28.5.2024