The goal of this program is to help bridge the funding gap between early-stage biomedical innovations and well-defined commercial opportunities that are attractive for investment by pharmaceutical partners or investors in new startups. BBII support allows investigators to develop important data to demonstrate the promise of their technology to potential investors and/or industry collaborators and increase the chances for collaboration, out licensing and commercialization.
Brown Technology Innovations
Brown Biomedical Innovations to Impact – Pilot Awards
Eligibility
The focus of this program is the biomedical sciences, specifically, identification and development of therapeutics, diagnostics or medical devices. Eligible applicants are faculty whose principal appointment is at Brown University specifically, investigators who are covered by the Brown University IP policy and have an obligation to assign IP to Brown University. Additionally, faculty employed by Brown-affiliated hospital partners Care New England and Lifespan who have a primary academic appointment at Brown University shall be eligible so long as their application includes a letter of support from their employer. For questions about eligibility contact bbii-projects@brown.edu.
How to Apply
Pre-proposals due December 6, 2024 at 5 p.m. – please use the Pre-proposal Template and email to bbii-projects@brown.edu. For more detailed information please review the BBII Full Description and Guidelines.
Successful applications will propose product-focused translational development work and may be carried out by third-party entities such as CROs or consultants. Examples of translational projects eligible for funding include but are not limited to:
- Identification and/or chemical optimization of small molecule drug candidates
- Development of therapeutic or diagnostic antibodies or other biologics
- Evaluation of therapeutic lead candidates in cell based and/or animal models of disease
- Identification and validation of a biomarker for efficacy or profiling
- Development and/or testing of a diagnostic or medical device prototype
- Development and validation of life science tools
- Other advanced pre-commercial research
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact BBII (bbii-projects@brown.edu) to set up a meeting to discuss the scope and feasibility of the project.