News on the Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme
12 January 2009
In April 2008, the MRC launched the Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme as the flagship of our translational research strategy. Its goal is to help universities translate the discoveries their researchers have made into benefits for patients by supporting the development of ideas from fundamental research towards proof of concept.
Meeting an unmet need in a novel way
The DPFS has been designed to fulfil needs that have been unmet by past funding opportunities in translational research and was developed in discussion with universities. The scheme marries the best of the MRC’s knowledge and leadership in translational research with expertise and experience from the industrial sector. The scheme allows the MRC to make large (~£500k) investments in next stage development of the most exciting new therapies, interventions and diagnostics and research tools.
The scheme has met with enthusiasm. Since it started, over 140 outline applications have been submitted from 29 universities across the UK in two rounds. The MRC has invited almost 50 full applications, and has already taken funding decisions on some of these proposals. The awards made so far are focused on “high-risk, high payoff” projects, particularly using approaches that are not yet being actively pursued by industry. Successful project proposals had clearly defined milestones, outcomes and evidence of future value.
The applications cover a wide range of potential interventions, including pharmaceuticals, biological or immune interventions, surgical and psychological interventions, and devices. The most common approach was small molecule drug development, followed by recombinant protein, peptide or antibody programmes. Similarly, applications addressed a wide spectrum of clinical conditions. Proposals include projects on diseases including diabetes, Alzheimer’s and glaucoma, as well as the challenges posed by scarring, fracture and wound repair. Applications addressing cancer and inflammatory and immune system disease were most numerous, closely followed by cardiovascular disease, infections, mental health and neurological disease.
Pump-priming and Portfolios
The MRC is also taking two innovative approaches to help universities maximize the potential provided by the DPFS. At the start of the scheme, the major universities in medical research were able to apply for prospective funding for underpinning resources, to allow them to put in place some of the people necessary to run DPFS projects. The MRC has supported new posts in 11 universities across the UK, so that they are ready to start projects as soon as possible.
Next, the MRC will create opportunities for universities to prioritise, support and manage their own translational projects, under appropriate supervision, by allocating significant DPFS Portfolio funding to a small number of universities. Locally-run portfolios should allow faster and more efficient use of resources, ensure continuity of skills, create a better environment for training, and make the best use of project management systems. The MRC is piloting university DPFS portfolios in 2009. The MRC has selected a shortlist of five universities for detailed negotiation, chosen to reflect the diversity of UK capacity and capability, and will be engaging with a wider set of universities in learning from this pilot, which will help their translational activities. If successful, the DPFS Portfolio approach will be rolled out in summer 2010.
Further details of the Development Pathway Funding Scheme and how to apply can be found at http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Fundingopportunities/Grants/DPFS/index.htm.
Press contact: 020 7637 6011
press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
