Protein Therapeutics

The Stanford Innovative Medicines Accelerator (IMA) is now accepting proposals for projects that address two key challenges in antibody and protein drug development: the identification of drug candidates and their optimization into clinical leads.

The IMA’s mission is to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries at Stanford University into new medicines by supporting the prototyping of innovative therapeutics and vaccines, while enabling hypothesis-driven studies that advance human health. Through this Request for Proposals, the IMA invites applications for projects to enter the Protein Therapeutics module. Basic research, including target identification, is outside the scope of this solicitation.

Aim and Scope

The IMA supports the discovery and development of monoclonal antibodies or proteins with therapeutic potential and sufficiently promising properties to advance as drug candidates. Projects must focus on a single disease with a well-defined therapeutic target. Platform development may be included, but only as a by-product of the therapeutic protein’s development. Stand-alone platform technologies are not eligible for support.

Competitive projects must have:

• A strong therapeutic hypothesis that addresses an unmet or poorly met medical need.
• A novel biological target or mode-of-action that is well-differentiated from other ongoing translational programs in academia or the biopharma industry.
• Enabled and reproducible in vitro assays and/or animal models to support protein drug prototyping.

The goal of each project is to validate the therapeutic hypothesis underpinning the scientific discovery while generating intellectual property to support commercialization of the drug prototype that emerges from this work.

Provided Support

Protein Therapeutics: Support from the Protein Therapeutics module at the IMA includes:

• Discovery of monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic candidates.
• Optimization of therapeutic antibody or non-antibody protein candidates.
• Biochemical and biophysical characterization of the target protein.
• Recombinant protein production for target protein generation, in vitro validation, and in vivo proof-of-concept studies.

Preclinical pharmacology:  Selected projects may also access the IMA’s Preclinical Pharmacology module for the validation and scale-up of in vitro assays and the planning of in vivo studies using appropriate disease models.

External resources: Depending on the nature and specific needs of each project, the IMA may provide access to strategic alliances and qualified contract research organizations (CROs) to support project execution. Upon mutual agreement between the PI and the IMA, the IMA can also assist in identifying potential partners, such as pharmaceutical companies or venture capital firms, for project transition or exit.

Project management: IMA Protein Therapeutics module lead and a senior researcher will work collaboratively with the PI to formulate a goal- and milestone-driven project plan. In addition, the IMA Project Management team will provide support in project planning, budgeting, and identifying outsourcing opportunities.

Financial Support: Awarded projects can be supported for 12–18 months according to a predefined project plan. Details regarding specific roles, responsibilities, and financial allocations will be elaborated in individual award letters issued to selected projects. The level of IMA support will depend on the needs of the project. The IMA will not provide salary support for members of the PI’s lab.

Collaboration

Projects are expected to be conducted in a collaborative and fully transparent manner. This includes shared decision-making, open communication of data generation and dissemination, collaborative experimental design, planning for publications, patenting, and external partnerships or resource use. The IMA will operate with full confidentiality and is committed to ensuring long-term data storage and accessibility. With respect to intellectual property, the IMA adheres to U.S. patent law and follows Stanford University’s guidelines on patent applications.

Throughout the duration of the project, the Principal Investigator is expected to serve as an active collaborator, along with relevant members of their research group. This includes regular participation in monthly project team meetings.

Deadline

All applications must be received by 5 PM PDT on Friday, August 15th, 2025. 

Eligibility

All Stanford faculty with PI status are eligible to apply. Each PI may have only one active IMA-supported project at a time. However, PIs with an active IMA collaboration may be listed as co-PIs on other proposals.

Application Instructions

Proposals should be submitted directly through the Sarafan ChEM-H SlideRoom Portal.

Detailed instructions can be found in the linked document below:

2025 Protein Therapeutics RFP – Instructions

You do not need to submit your applications to your Research Process Manager (RPM) in RMG or through your Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) Contract and Grant Officer (CGO) for their approval at this time.

Selection Process, Timeline, and Expectations

Each LOI will undergo a three-step due diligence process.

1. The most meritorious LOIs will be identified based on review by a panel (internal and external) knowledgeable in small molecule translational research and evaluated according to the following criteria:
   • • Novelty of the therapeutic hypothesis and biochemical approach
     • Significance of the unmet medical need
     • Feasibility of support with the available technologies and resources at the IMA
     • Competitive landscape analysis and freedom to operate
2. PIs whose project ideas are selected will be invited to submit full proposals in collaboration with senior staff members of the IMA. The full proposal will cover the following points:
   • • Description of envisioned mechanism of action.
     • Strategy and steps towards the generation and/or development of the therapeutic prototype, including milestones, timelines, and go/no-go decision points.
     • Biological context and description of previous work performed on the therapeutic target.
     • Detailed description of in vitro assays and in vivo models needed for optimization and proof of concept studies.
     • Profile of the optimal therapeutic prototype (target product profile).
     • List of available and/or to-be-generated tool molecules and cell lines.
     • Publication, intellectual property, and exit strategy.
3. Mutual due diligence meetings between the IMA and PI to address any outstanding questions or concerns.

The IMA makes every effort to reach a final decision within one quarter of receiving the LOI, although this can depend on the availability of the PI and their team members.