Patient Worthy wishes to share the following funding opportunities with faculty/ biotech having interest in these areas of research.
The two grant programs were announced by the Orphan Disease Center (ODC) in Alliance with the Hypopara Research Foundation.
The Hypoparathyroidism Stem Cell Consortium Grant Program is offered by the ODC for grant applications. The ODC seeks scientists who will focus on the development of potential long-term therapy for the disease. The expectation is to utilize advances in stem cell research in order to regenerate and transplant parathyroid glands.
Although the ODC is flexible with respect to specific goals for the application, it offers the participants several areas for consideration. This information, as well as eligibility, RFA guidelines, and grant details, are available here.
Grants of up to $500,000 per year renewable for two years (maximum $1 million) apply to this funding opportunity.
Letters of Interest (LOIs) are due no later than Monday, September 9th, 2019 by 8 pm EST.
The second grant program, the In-home Calcium Diagnostic Device for Hypoparathyroidism is focused on creating a medical diagnostic device for in-home measurement of calcium in the blood.
The aim of the newly created device is to allow patients with hypoparathyroidism or hypocalcemia to monitor their disease at home.
This grant will be for a one year period and funded up to $200,000.
Specifications for creating the device are set out in the aforementioned RFA guidelines together with grant details and are again available here.
This program is offered in partnership with the Penn Health-Tech Center for Health, Devices, and Technology.
Letters of Interest (LOIs) are due no later than Friday, September 13th, 2019 by 8 pm EST.
About Hypoparathyroidism
Hypocalcemia (low calcium) is the direct result of Hypoparathyroidism, a disease of the endocrine system. The cause has been identified as having diminished concentration of the parathyroid hormone which is the key to maintaining normal levels of calcium and phosphorus.
The resulting low levels of calcium and an increase in phosphorus may result in muscle cramps, convulsions, and involuntary muscle contractions.
The diagnostic device grant program is open to commercial entities as well. The Letter of Interest for either program, once having been reviewed and approved, will be followed by a full application.
Letters of Interest may be uploaded from the ODC’s website.
The contact at the ODC for questions about the grant program is:
Samantha Charleston | Assistant Director
Patient Outreach and Program Management | Orphan Disease Center
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Office: 215-573-6822
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