Regenerative Therapies for Neuromuscular Targets, Spring 2021

The Innovative Medicines Accelerator (IMA) aims to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries at Stanford University into new therapeutics that impact human health. The goal of this request for proposals is to promote research with the potential to rapidly transform basic and translational regenerative medicine into treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other neuromuscular diseases. With support from the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Foundation, Stanford’s Innovative Medicines Accelerator (IMA) is seeking proposals from Stanford faculty to address unmet needs in the drug development pipeline for SMA and other devastating neuromuscular diseases. The SMA Foundation is pursuing regenerative and cell-based therapies that will “rebuild” the nervous system and muscle that will not only impact SMA but other indications such as neurodegenerative diseases, muscular dystrophies, cachexia, and aging.

Selected projects will receive a university research award of up to $300,000 for one year. Please note that award recipients will receive the entire amount funded, as overhead costs will be covered separately. If a project achieves its goal and makes significant progress towards a therapy, robust additional funding and resources for preclinical development may be awarded.