What is Catalyze?
Catalyze is a new approach to translational research support that takes into consideration not only the technical needs of the project, but also the management, commercialization, regulatory, and training requirements of the scientists developing them. Catalyze strives to anticipate the needs of a supported project, pivot funding and other support as needed, and prevent projects from failing for non-technical reasons. Projects supported by Catalyze receive funding, project management support, access to technical services and expertise, advisory services (IP, regulatory, commercialization), training opportunities, access to best practices and the opportunity to become part of an innovation network.
Mission
The mission of Catalyze is to provide a comprehensive suite of support and services to facilitate the transition of basic science discoveries into viable diagnostic and therapeutic candidates that have been cleared for human testing, and to develop a translational research workforce fluent in product development and entrepreneurship.
Strategy
- Provide funding for HLBS-related therapies, devices, and diagnostics across the continuum of translational science
- Support scientists in setting reachable milestones that move their projects along the research pathway
- Educate investigators in translation, marketing, and commercialization of products
- Anticipate the needs of researchers so that they spend time on the science instead of the administration of projects and figuring out the next steps
- Pivot funding and support quickly depending on project and scientific needs
Product Definition
- Grant Mechanism R61/R33
- Technology Readiness Level 1-3
- US-based academic, non-profit institutions, and US-owned for-profit institutions are eligible to apply
- Online submission through GRANTS.GOV
- There are five funding opportunities
- Two that target therapeutics (dependent on early or late entry stage of development),
- two that target devices, diagnostics, and tools (dependent on early or late entry stage of development),
- and one that targets enabling technologies and transformative platforms.
- Special Requirements
- Project Management
- Milestones and Timeline
- Intellectual Property and Regulatory strategy
- Rigor and Reproducibility
- Matching Funds expectation (R33 only)
- Accelerator Partner (R33 only)
Preclinical Services
- Preclinical Service Contract through RTI International
- Technology Readiness Level 3-8
- US-based academic, non-profit institutions, and US-owned for-profit institutions are eligible to apply
- Simple online application to request services (EOI, full application)
- Focus on gap filling studies to accelerate promising technology toward traditional funding mechanisms or 3rd party investment
- Applicants will be expected to achieve commercial milestones in exchange for preclinical services
- Awardees will be expected to achieve negotiated commercial milestones
- Opportunity to work with Catalyze Coordinating Center's Innovation Advisors
- Access to NHLBI team of EIRS (Investment, IP, Regulatory, Clinical trial design, Reimbursement)
Learn more
The Catalyze Webinar Series presents a monthly program of webinars, lectures, and workshops about early-stage product development oriented towards academic innovators. The webinars are open to all faculty, staff, and students interested in early-stage product development.
