Applications

Any PI employed at an Academic Partner may apply to EXTEND. Any post-doc who is contracted to be employed by an Academic Partner for at least the expected duration of a funded Project may also apply with a letter of support from a PI. If in doubt, please contact the local technology transfer office (TTO) or the Expert in Residence (EIR).

The EIR is intended to be a valuable resource for academics wishing to consult a drug discovery expert on how to best shape and plan Projects as well as provide initial feedback as to the suitability of the Project idea for EXTEND. The remit of the EIR is to add value across the Academic Partners’ drug discovery activities, to help identify and position new applications and to work in a highly integrated fashion with the academic organisation as well as other EXTEND stakeholders to ensure the smooth conduct of the partnership.

Applicants benefit from financial support for funded Projects and from the combined technical expertise and physical resources of the EXTEND partners in building and implementing early-stage drug discovery and development programmes. Should successful programmes be selected for further development and inclusion in a future spinout, then the EXTEND management team, along with the respective TTO, aim to provide strategic guidance and governance in preparation of the commercial and scientific plan.

This does not necessarily preclude an application to EXTEND, but applicants should work with the local TTO who, prior to submission of the proposal for consideration, will perform a preliminary check that will be performed to ensure that an application does not conflict with any 3rd party rights.

The funds will be split between the Academic Partners, Evotec and/or eventually other service providers based on the single Projects’ needs for technological platforms and experimental innovative modalities. The funds’ split, and the relative use is detailed within the Project plan which EXTEND is going to draft together with the Academic Partners.

Prior receipt of proof-of-concept funding from external sources does not preclude an application, but such funding should be disclosed in an application and discussed with the local TTO to ensure eligibility.

All EXTEND partners, including the Expert in Residence, are under a duty of confidentiality regarding information disclosed to them during the partnership. However, information should not be disclosed to EXTEND which is subject to a duty of confidentiality to a 3rd party; for example, where research results have been generated from a Project with a commercial sponsor. If in doubt, researchers should first check with their local TTO.

It is expected that the Projects will be undertaken in the labs of the Academic Partner and at Evotec as the preferred industrial partner, and/or in, wherever most appropriate.

The EIR is going to support the Projects on the entire path finalised at the start-ups’ creation. Moreover, a Project Manager, expert in the scientific area will be assigned to each initiative to work closely with the research teams.

To be more efficient, the funding will be split into traches as to set the milestones and define the key point in every step of the way.

The applicant is expected to champion the Project and will play an active role in guiding and managing the Project.

Yes, if platform technologies have the primary purpose of generating new therapies.

EXTEND will not support clinical Projects. It is not intended to provide funding for academics’ salaries over an extended period of time. EXTEND will not support basic research.