FDA finances $23m for rare disease research
The US Food and Drug Administration has awarded 21 new clinical trial research grants totalling more than $23 million in order to boost the development of products for patients with rare diseases.
The grants, which were awarded through the Orphan Products Clinical Trial Grants Program, are to encourage the clinical development of drugs, biologics, medical devices, and medical foods.
Gayatri Rao, director of the FDA’s office of orphan product development, said in a statement: “We are proud of our 30-year track record of fostering and encouraging the development of safe and effective therapies for rare diseases through our clinical trials grant programme.”
Rao added: “The grants awarded this year will support much-needed research in 21 different rare diseases, many of which have little, or no, available treatment options.”
Since the creation of the programme in 1983, more than $370 million has been spent on financing more than 590 clinical studies.
A total of 68 grant applications were received for this fiscal year, with a funding rate of 31%.
The research organisations that will receive the grants include Columbia University Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, and Taimed Biologics USA.
