FasterCures has often found models of medical research innovation outside of the traditional establishment, specifically at the nonprofit foundations that comprise The Research Acceleration and Innovation Network (TRAIN).
Click the TRAIN case studies links below to view examples of the power of venture philanthropy.
TRAIN Case Studies
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is recognized as one of the best examples of venture philanthropy in medical research. CFF has provided over $1 billion in funding since 2005, it actively supports the development of new treatments—nine of them FDA-approved—and has industry partners including Vertex, Pfizer, PTC Therapeutics, and Genzyme.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is the single largest funder of Parkinson's research outside of the US government. To date, MJFF has invested more than $450 million in research—almost 90 percent for translational research—funded testing of more than 100 therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease (PD), and undertaken novel industry partnerships to support early-stage promising therapeutic approaches.
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and its sister organization, the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), have created a remarkable engine for drug discovery and development. MMRF has raised more than $500 million and funded 135 institutions worldwide, been involved in the development of 15 new treatments, facilitated nearly 100 clinical trials through the consortium, and has 17 MMRF-funded compounds now in clinical trials.
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation has demonstrated remarkable success in investing money and resources in early clinical stage trials and preclinical drug discovery research. ADDF has invested in 20% of the drugs currently in clinical development for Alzheimer’s disease.
EB Research Partnership
EB Research Partnership has funded more than 80 research projects, which has led to 30 clinical trials, including 3 Phase III trials and, as of May 2023, the first ever approved treatment for EB. They have also started their own for-profit research company. In 2019, EBRP funded the formation of Wings Therapeutics, a new company dedicated to developing treatments for EB.
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, through its IBD Ventures, invested $31 million in research in 2020. The IBD Ventures program is dedicated to funding mechanisms and providing resources and advisement to support product-oriented research and development for Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis.