Ferring Innovation Grants Program: Gastroenterology, Reproductive Health, Urology & Endocrinology [Applications Open 13 June]

Ferring Innovation Grants program will provide a limited number grants in the $50,000 to $100,000 range and reasonable indirect costs will be considered as a part of the award in 2016.  The focus of the program is the identification of novel extracellular targets that are addressable with peptide and/or small protein scaffolds in our core therapeutic areas. The specific indications of interest in each therapeutic area are listed below.

Gastroenterology: The impact of the gut microbiota on GI related diseases. The immunological basis of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as celiac disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and short bowel syndrome.

Reproductive Health: Targets with utility in the prevention and/or treatment of preterm labor or preeclampsia. New modalities for the treatment of endometriosis or  menopausal symptoms. Improving fertility by targeting the molecular basis of embryo implantation, oocyte, embryo quality, FSH non-responders, anovulatory disorders, ovarian aging, polycystic ovarian syndrome or male factor infertility.

Urology: Novel approaches to treat prostate related disorders such as secondary hypogonadism and benign prostatic hyperplasia, with specific interest in the causes of progression to castration resistant and hormone sensitive prostate cancer. Identification of targets for use in the treatment of disorders such as painful bladder syndrome, refractory overactive bladder, and/or non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Endocrinology: Growth hormone and/or Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis related biology and its application to endocrine disorders. Not of interest are: Diabetes, Obesity, and metabolism in general.

Important Dates:
June 13th: Grant portal opens for submission of pre-application
July 15th: Deadline for submission of pre-applications
August 3rd: Requests for full proposals sent out
September 6t​h​: Deadline for submission of full proposal

September 30th: Notification of award
October 31st: Award funded

The Ferring Innovation Grants portal is located ​at www.ferring-research.com, and contains additional information regarding the program.