TRxA FAQs
Who We Fund
Who is eligible for TRxA funding?
Faculty at universities and nonprofit institutions, anywhere around the world.
Are there any institutional requirements?
Funding is available for projects at academic or non-profit organizations anywhere around the globe.
Are there any institutional commitments required, if funded?
Institution will be expected to engage with TRxA and negotiate a reasonable project agreement commensurate with the funding provided. A template of this agreement is available here.
What We Fund
Do you have criteria for small molecule? Is peptidomimetic allowed?
Peptidomimetics would qualify for funding, but the molecular weight should be less than around 1000 Dalton.
Do you fund only therapeutic projects or diagnostics projects as well? Diagnostics tools and instruments?
Funding is limited to small molecule therapeutics at this time. Diagnostics tools and instruments are outside of TRxA’s scope.
I have a small molecular drug. I know the target protein but do not know the binding site. I have the phenotype in vitro and mouse models. And I don’t have a family of compounds . Is this project appropriate for TRxA?
This would be considered a very early-stage application and could be considered depending on target and indication priority, but will likely be less competitive than projects with demonstrated Structure-Activity-Relationship (SAR) around their compound.
If we have a druggable target but not the actual drug, would that study not qualify?
Correct, we have targeted projects to support with identified chemical matter with some information around Structure-Activity-Relationship (SAR).
Would you consider siRNA as a small molecule therapeutic?
Not in the current round of funding, but please check back in the future.
Does TRxA fund gene therapies? What about repurposed drugs?
At this time TRxA awards are reserved for small molecule approaches. Gene therapies and drug repurposing are currently out of scope.
How TRxA Funding Works
What levels of funding are available through TRxA?
There are three funding levels for TRxA projects. IDC is limited to 10%.
Stage 1: up to $250,000 for one year (total costs)
Stage 2: up to $500,000 for one year (total cost)
Stage 3: up to $1,000,000 for one year (total cost)
Stage 1: up to $250,000 for one year (total costs)
Stage 2: up to $500,000 for one year (total cost)
Stage 3: up to $1,000,000 for one year (total cost)
If we apply for Stage 1, is the project still eligible to later apply for Stage 2 or 3 as the project progresses?
Yes, we envision that a successful project could progress down the pipeline. In these cases, it would be possible to advance to the next level funding outside of the established RFP timetable.
Does TRxA funding come to my lab?
Funds are awarded to the project, not necessarily the PIs laboratory – this may mean that part of the funds, or perhaps even all of them, go to CROs to help execute the project. This, combined with the support TRxA provides to define the Target Product Profile (TPP), the Product Development Plan (PDP) and associated regulatory strategies, will make your project more valuable for potential future licensing deals, and move towards the clinic.
What are allowable costs?
Those associated with executing defined project tasks, such as procuring assay specific lab supplies, animals, or core services. Salary support is only allowed if associated with a specific task in the project’s plan.
What’s not allowed? – General laboratory expenses, travel, equipment, tuition, or IP protection. IDCs are capped at 10%.
What’s not allowed? – General laboratory expenses, travel, equipment, tuition, or IP protection. IDCs are capped at 10%.
Do I need to worry about overlap with other funding sources?
No; in fact, it may be beneficial as the project will likely need more than just TRxA funds to get to the clinic, and availability of other funds will be a positive attribute.
If an SME would like to fund one aspect of an academic project, will TRxA be open to funding another aspect of the development?
Yes, we understand that TRxA funding will not provide all of the funding for the work required to file IND and we would welcome other funders contributing to compile the package of data necessary.
Application and Review Process
How many calls for proposals does TRxA conduct each year?
Currently TRxA accepts applications once per year.
How many projects do you fund?
Depending on the Stage of projects, we anticipate funding 3-7 projects per year, in the coming years. We hope to grow our available resources to increase the number of projects we can support.
Will you guide applicants on what stage they should apply for (e.g., how to proceed if research is somewhere between stage 1 and 2)?
Prior to submission of an application, you can schedule a time to speak with the TRxA team to gain consensus on the appropriate funding level. To schedule a teleconference, email your request and specific questions to TRxA@c-path.org.
Can our Tech Transfer Office (TTO) apply on behalf of the investigators?
Yes, but TRxA would be funding the project, so PI interaction is essential.
What does TRxA get out of this?
Terms and conditions in the project agreement will include a request for a percentage of income to the institution, when the project is successfully out-licensed, but we do not claim IP ownership. A template of the TRxA project agreement is available here.
Engagement of Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
How do I deal with CROs?
TRxA will help identify suitable CROs to do (part of) the work and will manage their contracts and payment directly. These costs will be subtracted from the budget available to your laboratory.
Do you help to find CRO/CDMO globally? Then do you join the management?
Yes, TRxA will help identify suitable CRO/CDMO and may directly contract the work. TRxA has no geographic restrictions and can contract with CRO/CDMOs that can provide the required service without limitations. Management of the external work will be handled jointly between TRxA and the PI.
IP
Is it required that IP protection be in place for chemical matter at the time of application in order to be considered for TRxA funding?
It is not a requirement that the technology has IP protection in place at the time of application, rather that the chemical matter may be eligible for protection (i.e., it is not disclosed in advance of any established priority date). Ideally, the PI will discuss a prosecution strategy with their University’s Tech Transfer Office (TTO) to advance the project to a stage that an identified licensee will assume the significant costs of national filings within 30-months of priority for an application filed under the Patent Cooperation treaty (PCT). To clarify, TRxA does expect that IP will be filed under PCT, not just in the US or North America, that may lead to patent rights in other national jurisdictions.
If an academic PI has launched a startup company and has the license for the IP, can the PI work with TRxA?
Once the project is licensed to a startup entity it would no longer be eligible for TRxA funding.
How to Contact TRxA
How does a PI reach out to you. Is this through the website?
You can reach the TRxA team at TRxA@c-path.org