Call for Research Project Proposals
Moderna Therapeutics, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital
Moderna Therapeutics, the Karolinska University Hospital and the Karolinska Institutet invite
applications for Research Grants under their recently established Collaborative Research Programs.
Moderna Therapeutics (www.modernatx.com) is a biotechnology company headquartered in
Cambridge, US. Moderna Therapeutics Sweden is a new venture based at the Clinical Research
Centre, Huddinge to support the collaborations.
Moderna develops novel treatments based on modified RNA therapeutics. Modified RNAs can
minimise immunosurveillance, can be delivered in vitro and in vivo, and lead to de novo production
of target protein(s) in target cell(s). Both local and systemic delivery is possible.
The aim of the collaborations is to explore novel biology and novel treatment possibilities with
modified RNA therapeutics. Moderna will sponsor research grants for investigators at both the
Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital to conduct preclinical research with modified
RNA Therapeutics. As preclinical work is successfully completed, Moderna may sponsor translational
research and clinical trials of modified RNA Therapeutics as drug candidates at Karolinska University
Hospital.
Proposals are welcome in any area of medicine. Regenerative medicine, immunology, replacement
therapies, rare diseases, oncology, infection/vaccination are all of interest. Research to evaluate
novel delivery methods is also welcome. All research from the collaborations is intended to be
published. A strong line-of-sight to novel therapeutic possibilities associated with specific targets is
desirable.
Preclinical proof-of-concept (PoC) research projects should propose a staged approach. The first
phase should cover proof of concept (expression leading to relevant readout) in vitro and/or in
naïve animals. The second phase should cover proof of concept in a relevant animal model. The
total length of an initial project (both phases) should be approximately one year with a budget of
approximately 100kUSD, including overhead. Larger grants may be possible if strongly justified
Transition into the second phase will be dependent on success of the first phase.
PIs are strongly encouraged to informally discuss the potential of the technology and scope of the
grants prior to application (see contact details below). Full applications may be made directly under
this call, but it is also possible to submit a shorter “expression of interest” to assist an interactive
discussion prior to developing a full proposal.
Applications should be submitted to the Joint Research Committee(s) by 19th Jan 2015 via email to
sweden@modernatx.com. Further research calls will be made periodically during the lifetime of the
collaboration, which will run until 2019, and a portfolio of c. ten research programs will be active at
any given time. A template for proposals/expressions of interest can be downloaded here, or by
sending an email to the address above. All PIs employed by, or affiliated with, Karolinska Institutet or
Karolinska University Hospital may apply. PIs may submit >1 proposals if therapeutically distinct.
Preclinical PoC grants awarded under this call will include institutional overhead at the host PIs
department. Consumables, animal research and direct project costs including pro rata (actual
project time) research staff and student salaries, but not PI salaries, can be included. Proprietary
Moderna reagents will be custom-produced and provided to research projects outside of the grant
budget.
For further information, please contact Hugh Salter, CSO Moderna Therapeutics Sweden, +46 70 565
7727 or hugh.salter@modernatx.com.