Founded in 2013, Target ALS is a 501(c)(3) medical research foundation committed to the search for effective treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
We have revolutionized ALS research through our landmark Innovation Ecosystem model, fostering unprecedented scientific collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
In just seven years, our approach has led to some of the first potentially viable treatments for ALS since the disease was identified in 1869.
175+
ResearchCollaborations
60+
Pharma andBiotech Programs
12+
TherapeuticApproaches
5
Drugs in Clinical Trials
Breaking Down Barriers
Throughout most of the 150+ year period since ALS was first described, little happened because we lacked knowledge of the disease’s basic biology. To create Target ALS, Dan worked with researchers, thought leaders and executives, among others, to identify barriers delaying the discovery and development of viable treatments.
Primarily, these hurdles included:
Gaps in Funding: Few funding opportunities supported the translation of basic science ideas into validated drug targets and treatments.- Siloed Research: ALS researchers were operating in traditional silos, competing with each other rather than collaborating.
- Lack of Scientific Resources: Researchers lacked access to the tools and resources necessary to advance promising ideas.
Gaps in Funding: Few funding opportunities supported the translation of basic science ideas into validated drug targets and treatments.
Siloed Research: ALS researchers were operating in traditional silos, competing with each other rather than collaborating.
Lack of Scientific Resources: Researchers lacked access to the tools and resources necessary to advance promising ideas.- Limited Industry Investment: Given the limitations of translating ideas into the clinic, industry saw ALS as a high-risk area.
- Bias in Funding Decisions: ALS research funding relied on a peer review process with inherent conflicts of interest.
- Intellectual Property Restrictions: ALS scientists needed access to data and resources with no strings attached.
Limited Industry Investment: Given the limitations of translating ideas into the clinic, industry saw ALS as a high-risk area.
Bias in Funding Decisions: ALS research funding relied on a peer review process with inherent conflicts of interest.
Intellectual Property Restrictions: ALS scientists needed access to data and resources with no strings attached.Target ALS’ strategy specifically works to address and overcome these hurdles, providing researchers with the financial support and research tools needed to effectively advance their work.
The Road Ahead
In 2019, we extended our approach, based on insight from over 100+ leaders in ALS research who identified three necessary outcomes to advance their work toward viable treatments. They are now among our top priorities supported through collaborative funding and the creation of new, critically needed scientific resources.
- 1st Set of Biomarkers: Biomarkers have informed lifesaving treatments for many diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. They remain elusive in ALS but, once discovered, they will enable earlier diagnosis of the disease and for researchers to measure its progression—which is essential in drug development.
- 20+ Potential New Drugs: A strong drug development pipeline is our best hope for the creation of lifesaving treatments. Continuing to add new promising targets translates into many more opportunities to discover truly effective treatments.
- 10+ New Clinical Trials: Even after promising new drugs are developed, barriers to clinical development still exist. We continue to accelerate the translation of new drugs into human trials, working tirelessly toward the first viable treatments.
Join Our Mission
Take action today and support our efforts to discover the first viable treatments for ALS.
Human Postmortem Tissue Core
We provide access to multiple CNS sub-regions from ALS and control cases with detailed de-identified clinical and demographic information.
Genomic Datasets
We provide access to whole genome and whole tissue RNA sequencing (from multiple CNS regions) datasets from all of our postmortem cases.
Stem Cell Core
We provide access to iPS lines from ALS (familial and sporadic) and control cases.
Animal Models (Coming Soon)
We are creating new ALS rodent models that will be accessible to your lab directly and through our In Vivo Target Validation Core.
In Vivo Target Validation Core
We aim to test whether modulation of your target modifies disease relevant phenotypes in multiple ALS mouse models.
Viral Vector Core
We provide high quality AAV vectors for in vivo target validation studies.
Antibody Core
We are creating a panel of high quality monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for the research community.
Under the Microscope: Gene Yeo on RNA-Directed Therapy for ALS Caused by a C9ORF72 Mutation
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