It's challenging to translate academic discoveries from the lab to the bedside. There are a number of contributing factors—including limited resources, lack of expertise, and the high likelihood of failure—and the consequences are significant. For those with devastating illnesses or diseases, any missed opportunity could be fatal. To overcome such challenges, the nonprofit community is intervening in unconventional ways to bridge the gap to success. Nonprofit organizations are uniquely positioned to tackle high-risk projects through a focused, mission-driven approach. In this panel, we discuss the bold steps nonprofits are taking to ensure that no opportunity is missed in the complex world of drug development.