Accelerating Alzheimer’s Research: The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
Mission:
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) aims to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's disease, other dementias, and cognitive aging134.
Funding Model:
The ADDF operates as a biomedical venture philanthropy, providing funding to scientists conducting promising Alzheimer's disease drug research worldwide. It invests in early-stage research and early-phase clinical trials, with returns reinvested in new drug research14.
Impact:
The ADDF has invested nearly $65 million in over 450 Alzheimer's drug discovery programs and clinical trials in 18 countries. Its funding has led to over $2 billion in follow-on funding from government, pharmaceutical companies, and venture capital firms1.
Programs:
The ADDF supports various programs, including preclinical drug discovery, the Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials (PACT), partnership programs, scientific conferences, and the ACCESS program, which connects scientists with resources and expertise1.
Collaborations:
The ADDF partners with other organizations, such as the Alzheimer's Society, to leverage collective funding power and advance drug discovery. Jointly funded projects include research at the University of Oxford, St George's, University of London, and Lancaster University2.
Educational Resources:
The ADDF provides educational materials through its Cognitive Vitality microsite, offering evidence-based information on healthy brain aging strategies and practical information on safety, efficacy, and drug dosage14.
Events:
The ADDF hosts various events, including the Great Ladies Fashion Show and Luncheon, the Connoisseur's Dinner, and the Fall Symposium and Luncheon, to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research1.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer'sDrugDiscovery_Foundation
2. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/research/our-research/drug-discovery
3. https://burke.weill.cornell.edu/partners/alzheimer%E2%80%99s-drug-discovery-foundation