Finnish Drug Discovery Center’s (FDDC) new funding model provides up to €30,000 to help researchers generate feasibility data for promising therapeutic targets.
FDDC introduces a Proof-of-Idea (PoI) funding model to support early-stage drug discovery projects by enabling researchers to generate early feasibility data for promising therapeutic hypotheses. The PoI program provides up to €30,000 for targeted studies to determine whether a research idea has the potential to advance toward drug discovery activities or further investment. In addition to financial support, FDDC contributes with scientific, strategic, and project expertise throughout the project.
Funding can support services and experimental work relevant to early drug discovery, including compound ADMET characterization, medicinal chemistry services, assay development, or protein production. Projects are selected based on scientific criteria and commercial potential.
FDDC operates on a business model basis and does not provide grants or loans. Instead, the PoI model enables FDDC to support early feasibility studies while establishing a framework for potential future collaboration. If the PoI project meets the predefined scientific criteria, FDDC will have the option to participate in a subsequent discovery program, to be negotiated with the university’s technology transfer office (TTO).
The PoI model is currently available to academic researchers and research groups, with agreements coordinated through the university’s TTO. Researchers interested in exploring Proof-of-Idea opportunities are encouraged to contact FDDC for further information.