September 25, 2024 (Washington, DC)—The Kissick Family Foundation Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Grant Program, in partnership with the Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC), today announced six research teams awarded two-year grants to advance scientific understanding of FTD, totaling $3 million in new funding for this disease.
This inaugural cycle of the Kissick Family Foundation FTD Grant Program represents a unique philanthropic strategy that specifically targets basic or early-stage translational research projects that focus on those disease cases where the patient lacks a genetic link or strong family history, generally referred to as sporadic FTD. The awards support researchers dedicated to uncovering the biological underpinnings of FTD to foster a better understanding of their etiology, biomarkers, or potential targets for treatment.
FTD refers to a family of neurodegenerative conditions that cause changes in behavior, mood, executive function, language, memory, and motor function. While some genetic causes have been discovered, about 60% of cases are identified as sporadic FTD. Based on brain pathology, FTD could account for as many as 10-20% of all dementia cases. The disease is underdiagnosed, and a true global prevalence estimate is hindered by a general lack of awareness and the complex nature of its detection.
The program’s awardees include teams of researchers from the University of Michigan led by Dr. Sami Barmada, the University of California San Francisco led by Dr. Martin Kampmann, the University of Cambridge led by Dr. Maura Malpetti, the Mayo Clinic led by Dr. Leonard Petrucelli, and the University of Pennsylvania led by Dr. James Shorter. Projects will seek to understand the malfunctioning of proteins in the brain that contribute to FTD, identify potential biomarkers and treatments, and characterize overall disease states and their causes.
"Earlier this year, we lost our father and husband, John Kissick, after a long battle with FTD," said Kathy, Kasey, and Ryan Kissick of the foundation. "We continue his legacy through our work and are inspired by this incredible set of scientists working tirelessly toward a cure for FTD and related dementias. While not in time for John, we are optimistic that significant breakthroughs are on the horizon for the thousands of families affected by this difficult disease."
Through this program, the Kissick Family Foundation is investing in research that accelerates basic discoveries, expedites novel treatment options, and ultimately improves patient outcomes for people living with FTD. Their partnership with SPARC began in 2022 with an analysis of the state of FTD research and funding landscape. The results of those efforts were published in the November 2023 Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy Giving Smarter Guide, which identified research areas where focused philanthropic capital will accelerate progress and meaningfully enrich the overall landscape.
“Basic research to understand the brain is so critical,” said Cara Altimus, PhD, Managing Director of SPARC. “We are hopeful that this funding will be the start of deepening science’s understanding of the brain, and collaboration among scientists and funders will advance the path to breakthroughs across neurodegenerative diseases.”
A new round of funding is being announced concurrently with these awards which will continue to build a fundamental understanding of sporadic FTD with basic or early-stage translational research. The request for proposals may be found here. One-page letters of intent are being accepted through November 1, 2024. Individual researchers are eligible for up to $500,000 in funding over two years, inclusive of indirect costs. Awardees for this funding cycle should expect to be notified mid-year in 2025.
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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/.
About the Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration
The Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) works to develop, launch, and lead initiatives that fund medical research and invest to accelerate the development of tools and treatments that will bring better health to millions of people. Our expertise lies within a number of medical research fields, including neuroscience, mental health, oncology, rare diseases, and immunology. We partner with philanthropists, leading them through complex medical research and clinical systems and guiding pathways for philanthropy to create a healthy, equitable world.
About the Kissick Family Foundation
The Kissick Family Foundation aims to catalyze change through bold and dynamic philanthropy. They provide critical early support for the leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs who are finding cures, repairing catastrophic damage, and changing entire fields of study. The foundation invests in cutting-edge scientific research and advocacy for neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on frontotemporal dementia. They are equally committed to backing transformative ideas in the climate space, specifically ocean-based solutions with the potential to mitigate and reverse harm to the planet.
