Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network
The Neurotherapeutics Grand ChallengeMost nervous system disorders lack effective treatment, and most of the potential neurotherapeutic drugs identified in basic
research do not make it to human testing:
- Basic researchers often lack the resources to develop novel therapeutics strategies to the point where they can attract biopharmaceutical
industry interest
- Biopharmaceutical companies often hesitate to invest in neurotherapeutics development because there are few clinically validated
targets or strategies, there is a long track record of failure, and many nervous system disorders affect relatively small
populations.
The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics NetworkThe NIH Blueprint established the Neurotherapeutics Network as a pipeline between academic and industry drug development research
(View the project pipeline). The Network offers neuroscience researchers a "virtual pharma" to develop promising hit compounds from chemical optimization
through Phase I clinical testing.
- Researchers in the program receive funding to conduct biological testing, access to a full range of industry-style drug development
services and expertise, and control of the intellectual property for drug candidates.
- The Network currently includes projects focused on drugs for age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, depression,
hearing loss, familial dysautonomia, and Parkinson’s disease. Please see the complete list of projects, consultants and contractors for more information.
- This NIH webinar describes the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network and other efforts to help researchers accelerate drug discovery for neurological
disorders.
Each project is directed by a Lead Development Team, which is composed of the principal investigator, industry consultants
hired by NIH, and NIH staff. This team maps out a research strategy and oversees implementation of this strategy by a network
of contract research service providers. Bioactivity and efficacy studies are funded through a U01 award to the principal investigator;
other research services are provided without cost to the PI through NIH contracts.
(To view or print the PDF or Microsoft Word content on this page, download the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® or free Microsoft Word Viewer.)
