September 17, 2024 (Washington, DC) —The Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC), in partnership with the Ann Theodore Foundation, today announced that more than $2.4 million in funding is being awarded to five interdisciplinary research teams who applied to the Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative. The Ann Theodore Foundation and SPARC are also opening a new funding cycle via a request for proposals to scientists working to advance understanding of this rare and complex disease. Building on progress made since 2021, this funding cycle is open to researchers at any nonprofit academic or research institution around the world.
Sarcoidosis, a debilitating and sometimes fatal inflammatory condition, is hallmarked by immune cell clusters throughout various organs. Those who have sarcoidosis struggle with extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, joint pain, fever, and eye inflammation. For some, the symptoms last one to two years, but for others, it is a lifelong battle. Classified as a rare disease, sarcoidosis has no cure. Due to a lack of federal funding for sarcoidosis research, only a small number of clinicians and researchers are studying the disease. The Ann Theodore Foundation stepped up to the challenge of supporting sarcoidosis research in 2020, funding $8.2 million across three funding cycles. The fourth cycle, released today, brings the total of committed and deployed capital to more than $10 million.
The Ann Theodore Foundation and SPARC partnered to develop and launch the Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative, releasing the first cycle of funding and sarcoidosis Giving Smarter Guide in late 2021. Since then, more than 15 teams from over a dozen institutions have begun projects that seek to improve understanding of sarcoidosis and bring the field closer to novel, effective therapeutics.
“Sarcoidosis can be a difficult, lifelong journey for many, and there are few clinical options available,” said Lisa Spalding, spokesperson for the Ann Theodore Foundation. “We are encouraged by the progress made so far; this latest round of funding is another step toward the answers—and care—patients have been seeking.”
The awarded institutes and lead investigators include:
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Cell-free DNA to Define Organ Involvement and Severity in Sarcoidosis (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute): Sean Agbor-Enoh, MD, PhD, Lasker Clinical Research Tenure Track Investigator
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Objective Cognitive and Neuroimaging Assessment in Sarcoidosis (University of Iowa): Nabeel Hamzeh, MD, Professor of Medicine in the division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine
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Elucidating the Immune Landscape of Neurosarcoidosis (Mass General Brigham): Michael Levy, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology
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Role of Mincle and other C-type lectins in granuloma formation in sarcoidosis and development of new therapeutics (COMBAT SARC) (University Hospital Basel): Antje Prasse, MD, Professor and Division Chief of Respiratory Medicine
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Abnormal lysosomes in pulmonary sarcoidosis pathogenesis (University of Cincinnati): Wei Shi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics
“In just four years, we’ve seen real progress in a research field that had stagnated,” said Cara Altimus, PhD, managing director of SPARC. “That is the direct impact of steady philanthropic capital. This funding program has created more interest in sarcoidosis research, and increased willingness to collaborate, which is getting us closer to the breakthroughs patients need.”
The Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative is accepting one-page Letters of Intent through 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Individual researchers are eligible for up to $460,000 in funding over two years, and interdisciplinary teams will be eligible for up to $575,000 over two years. Applicants without prior sarcoidosis research experience are encouraged to apply and do not have to apply with a sarcoidosis expert to qualify for funding.
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About the Ann Theodore Foundation
The Ann Theodore Foundation is a grant-making private foundation that supports a broad range of initiatives, including opportunities for learning and enrichment for young people, food security, climate change mitigation, college access and success, and research towards a cure and improving care for people with sarcoidosis. The Foundation’s philanthropy is informed by the values of compassion, integrity, respect, and community.
About The Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit https://milkeninstitute.org/.
