Fwd: Announcing Grand Challenges Awards for "Innovations for Exceptionally Low-Cost Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Manufacturing"

[Prash]

  

Dear Colleague, We are delighted to announce the awards from the Grand Challenges Innovations for Exceptionally Low-Cost Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Manufacturing request for proposals, a joint initiative between LifeArc*, a not-for-profit medical research organization, and the Gates Foundation. This Grand Challenges call sought bold, technically feasible innovations to achieve the long-standing goal of reducing monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing costs to $10 per gram of purified released mAb — a milestone that would make these lifesaving biologics accessible to people in low- and middle-income countries. Following a competitive review process, LifeArc and the Gates Foundation have jointly selected seven proof-of-concept projects, exploring innovative and transformative approaches to low-cost mAb production. Each organization is funding a subset of selected projects. The Gates Foundation is also funding two awards to support organizations advancing proven concepts toward pilot-scale demonstrations of low-cost manufacturing solutions. The awarded projects reflect the creativity, diversity, and technical rigor of research teams working across the globe. Collectively, they are pursuing a range of innovations — including upstream and downstream process research, integrated process development, and alternative expression systems — that could help unlock equitable access to antibody-based therapies for all. To learn more about the awarded projects and other Grand Challenges initiatives, please visit the Grand Challenges website. You can also explore an interactive world map of funded projects, read summaries of previous awards, and sign up to receive future announcements. Thank you for your continued partnership in driving scientific innovation toward a healthier, more equitable world. Sincerely, The Global Partnerships & Grand Challenges team *LifeArc is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under registration number 1015243 and a charity registered in Scotland with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator under registration number SC037861. LifeArc is also a company limited by guarantee, with company 2698321, incorporated under the laws of England and Wales at 7th Floor, Lynton House 7–12 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9LT.