FDA Awards Six Grants to Fund New Clinical Trials to Advance Development of Rare Disease Treatments

Rare Daily Staff

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued six new clinical trial research grants totaling $16 million over the next four years to enhance the development of medical products for patients with rare diseases.

“Now, more than ever, we see the important role of these FDA grants to support clinical trials of potentially life-changing treatments for patients with rare diseases,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn. “As interest in the program has grown, so has the hope for promising approved therapies for patients with rare diseases that currently have no treatment options.”

The awardees include the drug developer Acucela, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, State University of New York Stony Brook, University of Cincinnati, and the University of Virginia.

The FDA received 47 clinical trial grant applications that were reviewed and evaluated for scientific and technical merit by more than 90 rare disease and clinical trial experts. The grants awarded support clinical studies of products that address unmet needs in rare conditions or provide highly significant improvements in treatment or diagnosis.

Photo: FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn