OUR MODEL
At Target ALS, we’ve built a model designed to deliberately disrupt the status quo of research and break down barriers to find effective treatments for ALS.
THE PROBLEM
For over 150 years after ALS was first identified, scientific progress was slow. Scientists were navigating uncharted territory, with a limited understanding of both the nervous system and the disease itself. Then, in the last two decades, something remarkable happened—an explosion of discoveries. Researchers uncovered new ALS-related genes, identified potential treatment targets, and opened doors that had never been explored before.
Yet, even with these breakthroughs, meaningful advancements in treatment remained elusive. Why? A web of deeply entrenched barriers stood in the way, each reinforcing the next, making it nearly impossible to push forward. These barriers weren’t just scientific; they were structural, systemic, and logistical, creating a landscape where innovation struggled to translate into real-world impact.
We’re here to change that.
THE BARRIERS
Gaps in Funding
Few funding opportunities supported the translation of basic science ideas into validated drug targets and treatments.
Lack of Scientific Resources
Researchers lacked access to the tools and resources necessary to advance promising ideas.
Bias in Funding Decisions
ALS research funding relied on a peer review process with inherent conflicts of interest.
Siloed Research
ALS researchers were operating in traditional silos, competing with each other rather than collaborating.
Limited Industry Investment
Given the limitations of translating ideas into the clinic, industry saw ALS as a high-risk area.
Intellectual Property Restrictions
ALS scientists needed access to data and resources with no strings attached.
A New Way to Accelerate Progress
Zero
IP restrictions
Zero
strings attached resources
Zero
bias in funding decisions
How our model works:
Our model removes barriers in ALS research by funding collaborative consortia, providing open-access resources, and fostering partnerships between academia and industry—ensuring that every breakthrough moves quickly toward effective treatments. The following six reinforcing strategies are woven through every aspect of the foundation:
The Six Reinforcing Strategies of Target ALS
Collaborative Funding
Target ALS fosters collaboration by exclusively funding multi-investigator research consortia that pursue novel approaches for ALS drug discovery and development.
Scientific Tools and Resources
ALS researchers worldwide have access to a range of critical tools ranging from biospecimens to genomic datasets to stem cells with no strings attached.
A Fairer Grant-Making Process
All ALS funding decisions are reviewed and ultimately decided by a conflict-free Independent Review Committee.
Engagement Between Academia and Industry
Target ALS offers the pharma/biotech industry access to its funding and resources to promote collaborative research projects across academia and industry and to seed ALS drug discovery programs in the industry.
No Intellectual Property Restrictions
Target ALS does not place any intellectual property (IP) restrictions on data generated by its funded research projects or scientific tools and resources, helping to facilitate the organization’s collaborative approach.
High-Impact Networking and Communication
Target ALS fosters ongoing networking and communication between scientists in academia and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, among other stakeholders. This includes an annual summit in Cambridge, MA attended by 300+ scientists, foundations, venture capitalists, industry leaders, and donors.
“…the only way to get things done is to work together.”
A Paradigm Shift in Research:
The Innovation Ecosystem Model
Traditional research models often operate in silos, with individual institutions or companies working independently, leading to fragmented progress, limited data sharing, and slow innovation. The Innovation Ecosystem Model, championed by Target ALS, breaks down these barriers by fostering radical collaboration across academia, biotech, and pharma.
How does ALS research work?
Unlike traditional models that can be constrained by intellectual property (IP) restrictions, this approach enables open data sharing, independent grant reviews with no IP restrictions, and seamless industry engagement. By bringing together diverse expertise, tools, and resources, the Innovation Ecosystem accelerates drug discovery, advances our understanding of ALS pathology, and fuels the development of potential therapies—all at a pace that traditional models struggle to match.
The Innovation Ecosystem Model
Over the last ten years, our approach has dramatically accelerated research results, 56% of our funded consortia have led to drug discovery programs, 10 clinical trials have emerged and 5 biotech companies have launched from our funded work, and 1650+ academic and industry users are utilizing our Research Cores.
Join us in building a world where
Everyone Lives.
With your support, Target ALS can expand the Innovation Ecosystem, accelerating ALS research and advancing the search for effective treatments for ALS.
