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ADDF’s Diagnostic Accelerator

The Diagnostics Accelerator aims to advance Alzheimer's diagnosis using biomarkers, funded by $100 million, and is no longer accepting unsolicited applications.

New York, NY, USA

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Description

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is a nonprofit biomedical venture philanthropy that accelerates the development of drugs and diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. 
  • Process: Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the ADDF Funding Portal. If invited, a full proposal is submitted.
  • Content: Requirements include scientific rationale, specific aims/milestones, deliverables, and supporting data (preclinical or clinical).

Eligibility

  • Entities: Open to academic medical centers, universities, nonprofits, and biotechnology companies worldwide.
  • Personnel: Principal Investigators (PI) must typically hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent.
  • Focus: Projects must advance therapeutics, diagnostics, or biomarkers for Alzheimer's or related dementias (e.g., FTD, Lewy Body, vascular dementia). 

Process

1. Letter of Intent (LOI) Phase

The process always begins with a mandatory Letter of Intent submitted through the ADDF Funding Portal.

  • Content: A high-level summary of the project’s scientific rationale, specific goals (milestones), and its potential impact on patients.
  • Timeline: LOIs are reviewed by the ADDF internal scientific team. You will receive a "Proceed" or "Decline" notification, typically within 3–4 weeks.

2. Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

If your LOI is approved, you are invited to submit a comprehensive proposal.

  • Scientific Rigor: This stage requires deep data, including preclinical proof-of-concept, medicinal chemistry details, or clinical trial protocols.
  • Milestone-Based Budget: You must provide a detailed budget tied to specific, measurable milestones (e.g., "successful completion of toxicology study" or "enrollment of first 10 patients").

3. External Peer Review

Full proposals undergo a blinded review by a panel of external scientific and industry experts.

  • Criteria: They evaluate the project's biological rationale, the feasibility of the plan, the strength of the team, and the "unmet need" for the specific drug or diagnostic target.

4. Scientific Advisory Board & Board of Governors Review

Projects that pass peer review are presented to the ADDF’s Scientific Advisory Board and ultimately the Board of Governors.

  • Strategic Fit: The board makes the final decision based on the current portfolio balance and the probability of the project reaching the next stage of development.

5. Due Diligence and Contracting

Once a project is selected for funding, the ADDF enters the due diligence and legal phase.

  • Business Review: For biotech startups, this includes a review of intellectual property (IP), cap tables, and financial health.
  • Contracting: The ADDF negotiates the terms of the investment. Unlike standard grants, these contracts include repayment or equity clauses to ensure that successful commercial returns can be reinvested into future Alzheimer’s research.

6. Milestone-Based Funding

Funding is not delivered in a single lump sum.

  • Tranches: Capital is dispersed in "tranches" upon the successful completion of the milestones defined in the proposal.
  • Active Monitoring: ADDF scientific staff remain engaged throughout the life of the project, providing guidance and helping troubleshoot scientific or operational hurdles.

What an Applicant can Obtain

  • Capital: Investments typically range from $100,000 to $3,000,000+ depending on the project scope; some specialized RFPs offer up to $5,000,000.
  • Expertise: Access to ADDF's in-house scientific team and specialized advisors for business and clinical development.
  • Network: Introductions to potential co-investors and follow-on funding sources.