Korea Innovation QuickFire Challenge: Targeting Neuroscience

Despite significant advances in understanding and treating nervous system disorders, millions of people worldwide continue to live with neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions that impact their quality of life. It is estimated that more than one in three people are affected by neurological conditions, which are the leading cause of illness and disability globally. These conditions range from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and geographic atrophy, as well as neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. The current treatment landscape for these conditions is limited, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and more effective treatment strategies.

To address these challenging diseases and disorders, Johnson & Johnson is proud to announce the launch of the Korea Innovation QuickFire Challenge: Targeting Neuroscience. Innovators from Korea or across the globe, with a demonstrated interest in leveraging the Korea ecosystem, are invited to submit their transformative potential solutions that aim to address challenging, hard-to-drug targets relevant to neurodegeneration of the brain and eye and/or neuropsychiatry. The innovators with the best potential solutions will have the opportunity to receive grant funding from a total pool of up to $100,000, JLABS Korea membership for one year, and mentorship from experts across Johnson & Johnson.

What we are looking for:

Innovators from Korea or across the globe, with a demonstrated interest in leveraging the Korea ecosystem, are invited to submit their transformative potential solutions that aim to address challenging, hard-to-drug targets relevant to neurodegeneration of the brain and eye and/or neuropsychiatry.

Specific areas of interest include the design of novel chemical entities representing small molecules, peptides, RNA-targeting molecules, molecular glues, or degraders.

To be considered, potential solutions must demonstrate clear feasibility and proof of concept for the technology, with the potential for drug development and therapeutic benefits for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, geographic atrophy, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder.

Criteria:

Potential solutions will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers on their ability to meet the following criteria:

• Strategic alignment with QuickFire Challenge areas of focus
• Potential impact for transforming health outcomes for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, geographic atrophy, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder
• Feasibility of the idea and supporting data
• Thoroughness of approach
• Identification of key resources and a plan to further the idea
• Demonstrated interest in the Korea innovation ecosystem

Awards:

The innovators with the best potential solutions will have the opportunity to receive grant funding from a total pool of up to $100,000, JLABS Korea membership for one year, and mentorship from experts across Johnson & Johnson.

Please note: Faculty and researchers interested in applying for these opportunities based on technologies developed or disclosed at Vanderbilt must submit their proposals through the CTTC.