Calibr receives grant from Gates Foundation to develop an Integrated Drug Discovery Platform for Diseases of the Developing World

LA JOLLA, Calif., May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr) has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop an Integrated Drug Discovery Platform for Diseases of the Developing World (IDDP). The goal will be to identify innovative new therapeutics for the treatment of diseases of the developing world. The program will leverage ongoing research efforts and infrastructure at Calibr, as well as draw upon expertise in academia and industry by establishing collaborations. The grant provides support for multiple projects at various stages of preclinical development – from high-throughput screens to IND-enabling studies.  

Calibr's vision is to accelerate the translation of innovative biomedical research into new medicines that address unmet global health needs.  The program will comprise a diverse portfolio of projects in priority research areas, namely tuberculosis, helminth infections, diarrheal disease, and both pathogen- and vector-based approaches to malaria. Dynamic resourcing within the program will drive the most promising projects toward the clinic while continuing to identify additional discovery opportunities, generating a renewable pipeline of new therapies for neglected diseases.  

"We're delighted to work with the Gates Foundation on these important problems," said Dr. Peter Schultz, the Institute Director and founder of Calibr. "Calibr brings significant experience in both drug discovery and basic biomedical research to the challenges of discovering new medicines for the complex diseases of the developing world."

About Calibr: Calibr is an independent non-profit institute (established in 2012) with the goal of accelerating the translation of basic biomedical research to innovative new medicines that address major health challenges. Calibr is based on a collaborative model that matches its preclinical drug discovery infrastructure, platforms, and know-how with the deep expertise of the world's leading disease biology labs. Calibr has established relationships with leading academic labs, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, as well as several foundations to build a diverse portfolio of projects and advance them toward the clinic. Calibr is led by Peter G. Schultz, Ph.D., a world-renowned chemist and biotechnology entrepreneur. Located in La Jolla, CA, Calibr has more than 80 scientists and staff in newly built labs located in close proximity to The Scripps Research Institute, The Salk Institute, and UC San Diego.

Contact:
The California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr)
Matt Tremblay, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Operations
T: +1-858-242-1005
[email protected]

SOURCE The California Institute for Biomedical Research

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED