Funding available through this RFA supports company formation, as well as early research and development of novel oncology therapeutics, devices, treatment-oriented information technology products, diagnostics, or tools. The objective of the SEED Award program is to start with an interesting technology and to progress it toward a commercially viable business opportunity, i.e., make it more attractive to private funding agents. Typically, applicants have completed the following activities:

• Identified a novel therapeutic, diagnostic technology, or clinical tool and shown a biological effect
• Conducted preliminary safety and toxicology testing (in the case of therapeutic agents)
• Shown the product can be manufactured at small scale or as a prototype
• Assessed the business opportunity and organized a business plan that begins to address key issues (clinical utility, target market, financial plan, IP strategy, technical challenges, etc.) and lays out a preliminary development plan (formulation, toxicology, scale up, IND-enabling studies, phase 1 clinical trials, regulatory pathway, etc.).
• Established a company

Award Maximum: $3 million

Duration: Maximum of 36 months

Funding available through this RFA supports the ongoing research and development of diagnostic tests and devices to treat, detect, diagnose, monitor, and assist in the treatment of cancer. Relevant areas include:

• Devices and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, treatment and prediction of response or resistance to treatment
• Markers for cancer prevention and control, companion diagnostic to a therapy
• Development of diagnostic tests to distinguish high-risk early lesions

Generally, at the time that an applicant applies to CPRIT pursuant to this RFA, the company has developed a commercial prototype of the device or a pictorial representation of the functional components/elements of the device. With respect to diagnostics, the company has developed assays that work on human samples and whose importance is well justified for development into clinical assays. The applicant should be working toward submitting an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or a 510(k) or Premarketing Approval (PMA) and is typically within one year from filing an IDE (or later stage work.) Potential applicants that are not at or near this stage of product development should consider applying for a Texas Seed Company Award.

With appropriate justification, companies may use CPRIT funds to support studies that establish preclinical proof of concept, product validation, design, production, manufacturing and development, and clinical studies demonstrating safety and efficacy.

Award Maximum: $5 million

Duration: Maximum 36 months

Funding available through this RFA supports the ongoing research and development of new and emerging technologies for the detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, or treatment of cancer. CPRIT created this RFA to fund new and emerging technology projects that do not easily fit into any of the three other CPRIT Product Development Research RFAs. Proposals may include, but are not limited to, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, production of radionuclides or their precursors, manufacture of cell-based therapies, processes to improve the quality of the samples used for cancer research or clinical care, and biomanufacturing of therapeutics.

With appropriate justification, companies may use CPRIT funds to support studies that establish preclinical proof of concept, product validation, design, production, manufacturing and development, and clinical studies demonstrating safety and efficacy.

Award Maximum: $5 million

Duration: Maximum of 36 months

Funding available through this RFA supports the ongoing research and development of innovative products, services, and infrastructure with significant potential impact on patient care. Generally, at this stage, the company has identified and characterized a lead compound; demonstrated efficacy in multiple translationally relevant animal models; completed pilot/dose ranging toxicology studies; determined the feasibility of a scalable, GMP compliant manufacturing process, including release assays; and identified a prototype formulation suitable for further development. The applicant is typically within one year from filing an IND/IDE or already in Phase 1.

With appropriate justification, companies may use CPRIT funds to support the following:

• Studies that establish preclinical proof of concept (safety and efficacy)
• CMC/manufacturing development
• GLP safety studies to support INDs
• Phase 1 in humans to establish safety and a recommended dose for phase 2
• Phase 2 studies to determine safety and efficacy in initial targeted patient population

Award Maximum: $5 million

Duration: Maximum of 36 months

Description:  Supports highly integrated programs of collaborative and cross-disciplinary research among multiple Texas investigators and Institutions

Award: Up to $4,500,000 over a period of four years.

Description:  Supports applications that explore the feasibility of high-risk projects that, if successful, would contribute major new insights into the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cancers.

Award: Up to $250,000 for a period of up to 24 months.

Description:  Supports mid-career clinician scientists with specialty training relevant to delivery of cancer care to devote more time to augment their capabilities in clinical cancer research, and to provide mentoring to early-stage investigators in the conduct of clinical research.

Award: Up to $1,500,000 for a period of up to five years.

Description:  Supports applications that facilitate the development or improvement of core facilities that will provide valuable services to support and enhance scientifically meritorious cancer research projects.

Award: Up to $3 million over a period of five years.

Recruits outstanding senior research faculty with distinguished professional careers and established cancer research programs to academic institutions in Texas.

Award: Up to $6 million over a period of five years.

Recruits outstanding mid-stage investigators to Texas, who have demonstrated the promise for continued and enhanced contributions to the field of cancer research.

Award: Up to $4 million over a period of five years.

Supports very promising emerging investigators, pursuing their first faculty appointment in Texas, who have the ability to make outstanding contributions to the field of cancer research.

Award: Up to $2 million over a  period of five years.