Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development of Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) is reissuing their grant, which was originally known as PAR-18-546. This grant is specifically aimed toward neuroscience investigators who require support to develop and test small molecule drugs intended for disorders of the nervous system. These investigators, while receiving funding, are expected to manage all associated studies that involve disease- or target-specific models and assays among other research tools. These studies will take place in the investigators' own laboratories.

Besides their individual work, grantees will be collaborating with consultants funded by NIH. The applicants also have the opportunity to enhance their projects by working with NIH's contract research organizations (CROs). These CROs are experts in Formulations Development, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology, and Phase I clinical testing. They also excel in the Chemical Synthesis under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

A project can enter the grant at two stages: Discovery or Development. If it enters at the Discovery stage, it will focus on refining promising hit compounds using medicinal chemistry until it moves to the Development stage. The Development stage is designed to assist a potential drug through toxicology studies (fit for Investigational New Drug or IND registration) and Phase I clinical testing. Alternatively, a project can directly enter at the Development stage and expedite to the IND-enabling toxicology studies and Phase I clinical testing in a shorter timeframe.

Importantly, institutions that secure a BPN grant will maintain their intellectual property (IP) rights. Furthermore, they will gain IP rights from BPN contractors, which effectively gives them control over patent prosecution and licensing negotiations for the drug candidates developed under this program.