Expressions of interest

Overall, we are looking for novel therapeutics that do not have the same target and mechanism of action as others already in clinical testing or approved. However, we would consider a project proposing a new drug clearly differentiated to the best-in-class that allowed it to address a specific need. This could include, but is not limited to, improved blood-brain barrier penetration to address brain/CNS tumours, or an alternative targeting strategy.

C-Further is focused on drug discovery and development and we are not looking for projects aiming at validating a novel target. Instead, we are seeking projects with targets that have already been well validated. However, the data package required might vary depending on the nature of the project. We encourage you to talk to us before applying and we would be happy to advise.

We understand that target validation is an ongoing process throughout the life cycle of drug discovery programs and that you may not have a ‘complete’ package on that upon applying. We will be assessing proposals on a project-by-project basis, guided by certain criteria to help identify potential risks for drug discovery success, in order to build a balanced portfolio of projects.

The sorts of information on target validation that we will be looking at will include, but are not limited to:

• evidence of functional phenotypic relevance in a defined indication and molecular or predictive biomarker driven subtype

• association with known cancer drivers or biology of that indication

• the role of the target in cancer and normal biology

• reasonable evidence of a functional role through genetic and/or tool compound perturbation in multiple disease models if that is relevant to the proposed therapeutic modality

Contact us at EOI@c-further.org if you have any questions.

These projects are not funded as classical grants. They are collaborative projects developed between C-Further and the originator researcher and will utilise internal drug discovery capabilities and resource as well as capabilities and expertise of the originator researchers. Funds and/or internal resource will be deployed how it makes best sense to complete critical path activities most efficiently. Depending on the project’s requirements that may involve a certain amount of funding to be awarded to the originator institute to support certain activities, but the amount and duration of funding will be project-specific and be part of discussions when working up a full proposal work-plan.

Your expression of interest (EOI) will be seen by the team processing applications at C-Further who are under a duty of confidentiality regarding information disclosed to them during the application process. However, we advise you to not share commercially sensitive structures or sequences at this stage.

We advise speaking to your local Technology Transfer Office, or equivalent, about the content you wish to submit and getting in touch with us in advance if you are not able to provide sufficient non-confidential information for review. All data will be processed in line with UK data protection laws.

If you are successful at the expression of interest stage, you will be invited to progress to the full application and diligence stage in December. It may be that you are contacted during the initial triage stage if additional information is required on the EOI.

Shortlisted EOI applicants will develop a full proposal in collaboration with C-Further’s team and will be requested to provide the necessary information for full diligence of the opportunity. This will require the applicant to share detailed data pertaining to the target/asset and filling a form. A confidential disclosure agreement will be facilitated at this point, if not already in place, and a template will be provided for your tech transfer office. A secure data sharing room will be made available to enable data sharing.

The full application and diligence process will be collaborative and you will likely be required to discuss certain aspects with C-Further’s internal diligence team via virtual meetings.