From groundbreaking research to successfully conducting clinical trials, Mass General Brigham researchers, scientists, and clinicians are continuously working to help patients globally with rare and complex disorders. Through novel gene and cell therapy research and treatments, we are always looking for potential cures. Our priorities are to imagine and create what is scientifically possible in conjunction with the highest clinical need.
With more than $2.3 billion in total research funding, Mass General Brigham has more than 500 researchers who are conducting gene and cell research in two categories:
Platforms (viral vector delivery, gene editing, etc.), which apply across cohortsTherapeutics
The Gene and Cell therapy Institute (GCTI) Spark grants aims to accelerate the translation of gene and cell therapies and improve patient health. The program will enhance the innovative potential of the Mass General Brigham GCT research community, stimulate new inventive concepts, identify areas of commercially significant scientific strength, and accelerate commercialization of Mass General Brigham intellectual assets. For fiscal year 2024, the GCTI funding opportunity is open to all clinical areas and technology types that include cell or gene therapies, with a focus on research or preclinical programs targeting high unmet need areas. Multi-investigator collaborations are encouraged. The GCTI program will fund projects that can demonstrate tangible advancements towards clinical applications as well as commercialization outcomes including licensing, commercial partnerships, or new spinoff companies.
We will continue to partner with industry to advance gene and cell therapy.
Gene Therapy
Many diseases can involve a genetic component — a missing gene, multiple copies of a gene, or a gene that is structurally defective. Gene therapy is the process of replacing or modifying genes to correct a deficiency, sometimes by altering the DNA sequence of the target gene or by modifying expression of a gene by turning it off or on. Gene therapy can have an especially profound effect in congenital diseases where the disease is associated with malfunction of a single gene. Researchers are working to identify such genes and develop therapies to replace or modify genes.
Cell Therapy
Cell therapy involves replacing or modifying cells to treat disease. Cell therapy can use cells from another person (allogenic) or the person’s own cells (autologous). These cells may or may not be genetically altered. Cell therapy is personalized to treat an individual’s condition, like CAR-T cell therapy, where scientists take the person’s own cells and genetically modify them outside the body, expand the number of modified cells and then re-infuse these modified cells to produce a therapeutic benefit. Such therapies alter the patient's cells so their immune system can now target and destroy previously stealth cancer cells.
Platform Technology
Refers to a technology that enables the clinical translation of gene and cell therapies and can be used as a base upon which other applications, processes, or technologies are developed. Platform technologies in the gene and cell therapy space include genome editing, gene delivery modalities, manufacturing improvements, discovery techniques and processes, and biomarker assay development.
Gene editing technology directly edits entire genes or parts of genes within the cell either within (in vivo) or outside (ex vivo) the body and can be used both for gene and cell therapies.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a GCTI Spark award, lead applicants must have PI privileges at an institution within Mass General Brigham. IP must be assigned to a Mass General Brigham entity.
Key Dates and Information:
Pre-proposals are due no later than April 19th, 2024 11:59pm ESTFull proposals will be invited June 3rd, 2024Full proposals will be due no later than July 3rd, 2024 11:59pm ESTFull proposals selected for technology development will be announced in early September, 2024.The earliest possible funding start date is October 1, 2024.
Award Information:
The award seeks projects that are in advanced stages of research, IND-enabling or clinical studies with clear potential for commercialization and clinical development. Funding maximum is $250,000 including 20% IDC.No portion of the award may be subcontracted outside the Mass General Brigham community. However, other costs for CRO or other commercial vendor services and GMP manufacturing are allowable and can be negotiated by GCTI. All vendors and consultants must agree that all intellectual property rights will be assigned to the appropriate Mass General Brigham-affiliated institution. All proposals must include an itemized budget along with a budget justification that describes the basis for all estimated costs. Please use the Mass General Brigham Research Budget Template.Salaries must include appropriate fringe benefit costs. Awards may not be used for capital equipment, travel expenses, subcontract expenses, or patent expenses.Award funding will be released in accordance with tranche plans developed by the PI in coordination with the GCTI project manager. Tranche plans will be requested once full proposals are selected for award. Tranche funding will be utilized to support GCTI awards in accordance with guidance provided by the GCTI project manager and progress achieved.
Intellectual Property
IP must be assigned to a Mass General Brigham entity and awards will be governed by the Mass General Brigham Intellectual Property Policy.
Do not include unprotected proprietary information in your application. Questions related to intellectual property and confidentiality should be directed to your Innovation Licensing Manager at 857-307-2400 (https://innovation.partners.org/our-team).
Additional information
Additional information can be found in the Program Guidelines.Questions related to GCTI Spark grants policies or procedures should be directed to Nandhitha Uma Naresh, Gene and Cell Therapy Institute, Mass General Brigham mgbGCTI@mgb.org .Questions related to the business opportunity should be directed to your Partners Innovation Licensing Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the funding period of the Spark grant?
The spark grant awardee will be funded for a period of one year. During this time, their progress will be evaluated by a board of reviewers on a regular basis (the GCTI Spark Advisory Committee), and the awardees will receive guidance periodically during the funding period on how to advance their technology most efficiently to the clinic and how to position their technology for further commercialization.
2. Can an investigator submit multiple Spark pre-proposal applications?
Investigators may only submit one pre-proposal application but may be co-investigators on multiple applications.
3. Will everyone be notified of the results?
Yes, everyone who submitted a proposal through the application process will receive communication on whether they were selected for full proposals. We will further send follow-up communications with those who were selected for full proposal submission until award announcements.
4. Can additional materials be submitted as attachments if there are formatting issues?
We highly recommend applicants to use the IDG online form for all submissions to ensure documents are intact and received on time. However, in exceptional circumstances, you can submit attachments to mgbGCTI@mgb.org and the attachments will be counted towards the given word-limit.
5. When will the results of final award be announced?
Finalists who are selected for the award will be notified in early fall through individual communication and announcements to public will be made in annual GCTI symposium.
6. Does the budget cap include indirect costs/overhead?
Yes, the budget cap includes an overhead/IDC of 20%.
7. Will sub-award be allowed through Spark?
No this will not be allowed.
MGB Gene & Cell Therapy Institute Spark Program 2024
From groundbreaking research to successfully conducting clinical trials, Mass General Brigham researchers, scientists, and clinicians are continuously working to help patients globally with rare and complex disorders. Through novel gene and cell therapy research and treatments, we are always looking for potential cures. Our priorities are to imagine and create what is scientifically possible in conjunction with the highest clinical need.
With more than $2.3 billion in total research funding, Mass General Brigham has more than 500 researchers who are conducting gene and cell research in two categories:
Platforms (viral vector delivery, gene editing, etc.), which apply across cohortsTherapeutics
The Gene and Cell therapy Institute (GCTI) Spark grants aims to accelerate the translation of gene and cell therapies and improve patient health. The program will enhance the innovative potential of the Mass General Brigham GCT research community, stimulate new inventive concepts, identify areas of commercially significant scientific strength, and accelerate commercialization of Mass General Brigham intellectual assets. For fiscal year 2024, the GCTI funding opportunity is open to all clinical areas and technology types that include cell or gene therapies, with a focus on research or preclinical programs targeting high unmet need areas. Multi-investigator collaborations are encouraged. The GCTI program will fund projects that can demonstrate tangible advancements towards clinical applications as well as commercialization outcomes including licensing, commercial partnerships, or new spinoff companies.
We will continue to partner with industry to advance gene and cell therapy.
Gene Therapy
Many diseases can involve a genetic component — a missing gene, multiple copies of a gene, or a gene that is structurally defective. Gene therapy is the process of replacing or modifying genes to correct a deficiency, sometimes by altering the DNA sequence of the target gene or by modifying expression of a gene by turning it off or on. Gene therapy can have an especially profound effect in congenital diseases where the disease is associated with malfunction of a single gene. Researchers are working to identify such genes and develop therapies to replace or modify genes.
Cell Therapy
Cell therapy involves replacing or modifying cells to treat disease. Cell therapy can use cells from another person (allogenic) or the person’s own cells (autologous). These cells may or may not be genetically altered. Cell therapy is personalized to treat an individual’s condition, like CAR-T cell therapy, where scientists take the person’s own cells and genetically modify them outside the body, expand the number of modified cells and then re-infuse these modified cells to produce a therapeutic benefit. Such therapies alter the patient's cells so their immune system can now target and destroy previously stealth cancer cells.
Platform Technology
Refers to a technology that enables the clinical translation of gene and cell therapies and can be used as a base upon which other applications, processes, or technologies are developed. Platform technologies in the gene and cell therapy space include genome editing, gene delivery modalities, manufacturing improvements, discovery techniques and processes, and biomarker assay development.
Gene editing technology directly edits entire genes or parts of genes within the cell either within (in vivo) or outside (ex vivo) the body and can be used both for gene and cell therapies.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a GCTI Spark award, lead applicants must have PI privileges at an institution within Mass General Brigham. IP must be assigned to a Mass General Brigham entity.
Key Dates and Information:
Pre-proposals are due no later than April 19th, 2024 11:59pm ESTFull proposals will be invited June 3rd, 2024Full proposals will be due no later than July 3rd, 2024 11:59pm ESTFull proposals selected for technology development will be announced in early September, 2024.The earliest possible funding start date is October 1, 2024.
Award Information:
The award seeks projects that are in advanced stages of research, IND-enabling or clinical studies with clear potential for commercialization and clinical development. Funding maximum is $250,000 including 20% IDC.No portion of the award may be subcontracted outside the Mass General Brigham community. However, other costs for CRO or other commercial vendor services and GMP manufacturing are allowable and can be negotiated by GCTI. All vendors and consultants must agree that all intellectual property rights will be assigned to the appropriate Mass General Brigham-affiliated institution. All proposals must include an itemized budget along with a budget justification that describes the basis for all estimated costs. Please use the Mass General Brigham Research Budget Template.Salaries must include appropriate fringe benefit costs. Awards may not be used for capital equipment, travel expenses, subcontract expenses, or patent expenses.Award funding will be released in accordance with tranche plans developed by the PI in coordination with the GCTI project manager. Tranche plans will be requested once full proposals are selected for award. Tranche funding will be utilized to support GCTI awards in accordance with guidance provided by the GCTI project manager and progress achieved.
Intellectual Property
IP must be assigned to a Mass General Brigham entity and awards will be governed by the Mass General Brigham Intellectual Property Policy.
Do not include unprotected proprietary information in your application. Questions related to intellectual property and confidentiality should be directed to your Innovation Licensing Manager at 857-307-2400 (https://innovation.partners.org/our-team).
Additional information
Additional information can be found in the Program Guidelines.Questions related to GCTI Spark grants policies or procedures should be directed to Nandhitha Uma Naresh, Gene and Cell Therapy Institute, Mass General Brigham mgbGCTI@mgb.org .Questions related to the business opportunity should be directed to your Partners Innovation Licensing Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the funding period of the Spark grant?
The spark grant awardee will be funded for a period of one year. During this time, their progress will be evaluated by a board of reviewers on a regular basis (the GCTI Spark Advisory Committee), and the awardees will receive guidance periodically during the funding period on how to advance their technology most efficiently to the clinic and how to position their technology for further commercialization.
2. Can an investigator submit multiple Spark pre-proposal applications?
Investigators may only submit one pre-proposal application but may be co-investigators on multiple applications.
3. Will everyone be notified of the results?
Yes, everyone who submitted a proposal through the application process will receive communication on whether they were selected for full proposals. We will further send follow-up communications with those who were selected for full proposal submission until award announcements.
4. Can additional materials be submitted as attachments if there are formatting issues?
We highly recommend applicants to use the IDG online form for all submissions to ensure documents are intact and received on time. However, in exceptional circumstances, you can submit attachments to mgbGCTI@mgb.org and the attachments will be counted towards the given word-limit.
5. When will the results of final award be announced?
Finalists who are selected for the award will be notified in early fall through individual communication and announcements to public will be made in annual GCTI symposium.
6. Does the budget cap include indirect costs/overhead?
Yes, the budget cap includes an overhead/IDC of 20%.
7. Will sub-award be allowed through Spark?
No this will not be allowed.