Download Therapeutic Discovery RFA

THE LUSTGARTEN FOUNDATION FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
PRE-CLINICAL COMPOUND SCREENS FOR PANCREATIC CANCER:
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
Release Date: September 21, 2011
Concept Due Date: October 21, 2011
PURPOSE
The Lustgarten Foundation invites collaborative or individual concept proposals directed towards novel in vitro
screening approaches to identify promising therapeutic combinations for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The Foundation is focused on developing a pipeline to test existing compounds in combination studies to
identify promising therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer patients. The pipeline will identify, validate and
bring promising therapies to the clinic. The recipients will participate in quarterly conference calls where they
will be expected to openly discuss their progress with other LF supported investigators. Collaborations
between investigators will then be encouraged and additional funding may be provided.
The goal of this first initiative is to identify promising therapeutic combinations using high throughput assays. A
focus on compounds that are closest to clinical trials is preferred although broad screens using both clinical
and tool compounds will be considered. Screens which take into account the three- dimensional and complex
nature of pancreatic cancer and its environment are encouraged. Two dimensional cell line screening
proposals will be considered if they include a unique and innovative aspect over standard drug screens (as
examples - RNAi/compound combination studies, genomics analysis of drug sensitivities). Standard cell line
panel library screens will not be considered.
These concepts will be reviewed by the foundation and selected concepts will be chosen for subsequent full
proposal requests. Concepts may come from institutions within and outside of the United States. Specific
deliverables, time-lines and go/no-go points will be identified and form the basis for continuation of funding
should it be granted.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications may be submitted by domestic or foreign, non-profit organizations, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal Government.
Collaborations with for-profit organizations are allowed and encouraged.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the
applicant. Three years is the maximum award period that will be considered and proposals that achieve their
goals in shorter time-frames will be favored. Since the nature and scope of each research proposal will vary, it
is anticipated that the size of individual awards will vary accordingly.
CONCEPT PROPOSAL
Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by October 21, a concept proposal that includes a descriptive title
of the proposed research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities
of other key personnel and participating institutions and a brief concept proposal (no more than 1000 words)
that identifies the goals, techniques and experience of the laboratories proposing the research. This concept
proposal will serve as the initial screening process for the foundation. The Lustgarten Foundation staff will
contact Principal Investigators from whom they wish full applications.
The Concept Proposal should be sent to Ms. Mila McCurrach [email protected].
Concept Proposal – Pre-clinical Compound Screens for Pancreatic Cancer:
1. TITLE OF PROJECT
2. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name, 2a. E-MAIL, PHONE AND 2b. INSTITUTION (Name and
Title)
FAX
address)
3. CO-INVESTIGATOR (Name, Title)
3a. E-MAIL, PHONE AND 3b. INSTITUTION (Name and
FAX
address)
Concept Proposal: Please address the following topics. The proposal should not exceed 1000 words
and may include one figure.
Describe the approach your screen will take.
Identify the controls you will include.
Define (or reference) your lab’s experience with these types of screening approaches and the results.
If you are proposing a 3D model screen, describe how your model mimics pancreatic cancer in situ.
Describe how your approach is innovative.
Identify the compounds you propose to test and the sources for these compounds.
List the resources/expertise you have available to accomplish this proposal.
Propose a timeline, including deliverables and go/no-go points.
Propose a ball-park budget for the proposal.