The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is inviting applications for the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) program, which focuses on small molecule drug discovery and development for disorders of the nervous system. This opportunity aims to support neuroscience investigators in advancing their projects into clinical testing, allowing participants to conduct disease-specific assays and collaborate with NIH-funded consultants while retaining intellectual property rights. The program is significant for promoting innovative drug development and ensuring compliance with Good Laboratory Practices. Interested applicants should note that the application period opens in January 2024, with a submission deadline of August 18, 2026, and can reach out to NIH Grants Information at grantsinfo@nih.gov for further inquiries.

PAR-24-043-Full-Announcement.html

PAR-24-043.html

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) at the NIH seeks applications for the small molecule drug discovery and development targeting disorders of the nervous system through its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) PAR-24-043. This program promotes collaboration between neuroscience researchers and NIH-funded consultants to advance new drug candidates into clinical testing. Projects can begin at either the Discovery or Development stages, with the former focusing on medicinal chemistry optimization and the latter on preclinical safety studies and Phase I trials. Participants retain intellectual property rights and can receive support for crucial activities through a customized Lead Development Team. The program encourages diverse participation and adherence to quality and compliance standards following Good Laboratory Practices. Key dates highlight the application period starting January 2024, with funding contingent on NIH appropriations and merit of applications. Interested applicants should ensure their projects align with the mission of participating NIH Institutes, explore available resources, and engage with NIH personnel prior to submission.

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-043.html

Reissue of PAR-18-546. The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) invites applications from neuroscience investigators seeking support to advance their small molecule drug discovery and development projects into the clinic. Participants in the BPN are responsible for conducting all studies that involve disease- or target-specific assays, models, and other research tools and receive funding for all activities to be conducted in their own laboratories. In addition, applicants will collaborate with NIH-funded consultants and can augment their project with NIH contract research organizations (CROs) that specialize in medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, formulations development, chemical synthesis including under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Phase I clinical testing. Projects can enter either at the Discovery stage, to optimize promising hit compounds through medicinal chemistry to the Development stage, to advance a single development candidate through Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling toxicology studies and phase I clinical testing. Alternatively, projects can enter at the Development stage and progress in a shorter period to IND enabling toxicology studies and phase I clinical testing. BPN awardee Institutions retain their assignment of IP rights and gain assignment of IP rights from the BPN contractors (and thereby control the patent prosecution and licensing negotiations) for drug candidates developed in this program.

See Section VII. Agency Contacts within the full opportunity announcement for all other inquires.

NIH Grants Information&lt;br/&gt;grantsinfo@nih.gov

Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development of Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)

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