GF Grand Challenges Call for Proposals: Low-Cost Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Manufacturing
The Gates Foundation welcomes applications for two Requests for Proposal (RFPs) Grand Challenges opportunities:
Option A: Innovations for Exceptionally Low-Cost Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Manufacturing. The Gates Foundation and LifeArc are soliciting proposals to develop proof-of-concept for manufacturing platforms that produce monoclonal antibodies at a final drug substance cost-of-goods of $10 per gram.
The primary outputs of this challenge will be (1) development of a conceptual facility design, and (2) generation of bench or lab-scale process data with sufficient analytical data to demonstrate the ability to produce an antibody at a final drug substance cost-of-goods of $10 per gram that could meet requirements for human applications and would support a rigorous cost-of-goods assessment by a third-party organization (chosen by the Foundation). A full physical demonstration that the manufacturing platform meets specific manufacturing cost targets is not required at this stage.
Option B: Innovations for Low-cost Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Manufacturing Phase II.
If you have existing data meeting Technical Readiness Level 3-5 (POC Defined, Lab Scale Demonstrated, or Pilot Scale Demonstrated) please share a solution with additional information listed below, as well as any non-confidential data demonstrating Technical Readiness Level 3-5 for production of a monoclonal antibody at a final drug substance cost-of-goods of $10 per gram.
Eligible criteria (Option A and B):
- This initiative is open to nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, international organizations, government agencies and academic institutions.
- applications involving projects led by women / in collaboration with women-led organizations, and/or applications from / in collaboration with institutions based in low- and middle-income countries are encourage to apply.
- Only individuals who are applying through a legally recognized corporate entity are eligible.
Funding level:
Option A: The Gates Foundation and LifeArc will consider several proposals for awards of up to $750,000 USD for each project, with a grant term of up to 18 months.
Option B: Potential funding and grant terms will be evaluated on a per-project basis. The funding and timeline are intentionally open given that the work is exploratory at this time.
Read here for more information.
Option A application deadline, 31st of January 2025 11:30 AM (PST).
Option B application deadline, 31st of May 2025 11:30 AM (PDT).
