Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)

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Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)

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<table class="infobox infobox-institution">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="infobox-image" colspan="2">
<em>Non-profit venture philanthropy</em>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Location</td>
<td>New York, New York, USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Website</td>
<td><a href="https://www.alzdiscovery.org/" target="_blank">https://www.alzdiscovery.org/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Focus Areas</td>
<td>[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, Biomarkers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Founded</td>
<td>1998</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Co-Founders</td>
<td>Leonard A. Lauder, Howard Fillit, MD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CEO</td>
<td>Isobel Coleman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Diagnostics Accelerator</td>
<td>$150 million initiative</td>
</tr>
</table>

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)

Overview

...

<table class="infobox infobox-institution">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="infobox-image" colspan="2">
<em>Non-profit venture philanthropy</em>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Location</td>
<td>New York, New York, USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Website</td>
<td><a href="https://www.alzdiscovery.org/" target="_blank">https://www.alzdiscovery.org/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Focus Areas</td>
<td>[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, Biomarkers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Founded</td>
<td>1998</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Co-Founders</td>
<td>Leonard A. Lauder, Howard Fillit, MD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CEO</td>
<td>Isobel Coleman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Diagnostics Accelerator</td>
<td>$150 million initiative</td>
</tr>
</table>

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)

Overview

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. Lauder and Howard Fillit, MD, the ADDF employs a unique venture philanthropy model, making strategic investments in promising research programs and using returns to fund additional research[@about].

Based in New York City, the ADDF has grown to become the leading non-profit funder of Alzheimer's drug discovery, having invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research worldwide. Unlike traditional charitable foundations that provide grants, the ADDF makes equity investments in biotechnology companies, providing both funding and strategic guidance to advance promising therapeutic approaches.

The organization's mission is to rapidly accelerate the development of effective drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. To achieve this mission, the ADDF focuses on supporting novel therapeutic approaches that target the biological mechanisms of aging rather than traditional amyloid-focused strategies.

History and Foundation

Founding and Early Years

The ADDF was founded in 1998 by Leonard A. Lauder, former chairman and CEO of Estée Lauder Companies, and Howard Fillit, MD, a physician-scientist specializing in geriatric medicine. The founding was motivated by the recognition that traditional research funding mechanisms were insufficient to drive the development of effective Alzheimer's therapies.

Leonard Lauder's involvement was deeply personal — his mother had died from Alzheimer's disease, and he was committed to finding a cure. Howard Fillit brought scientific expertise and a vision for applying venture capital principles to charitable research funding. Together, they created a new model for advancing Alzheimer's drug development.

Growth and Evolution

Since its founding, the ADDF has evolved significantly:

1998: Founded as the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
2000s: Built portfolio of early-stage investments in biotech companies
2010: Launched the Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Alzheimer's Disease (AMP-AD) with NIH
2015: Expanded focus to include diagnostics and biomarkers
2018: Launched the Diagnostics Accelerator program
2020: Supported development of numerous COVID-19 programs
2023: Launched $150 million phase of Diagnostics Accelerator[@business2023]
2024: Continued expansion of funding programs and portfolio

The ADDF has played a critical role in advancing the field of Alzheimer's drug discovery. While the pharmaceutical industry has largely focused on amyloid-targeting therapies, the ADDF has been a key funder of alternative approaches including neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic health, and vascular biology.

Venture Philanthropy Model

How It Works

The ADDF's venture philanthropy model distinguishes it from traditional charitable foundations[@about]. Key elements include:

Equity Investments: The ADDF makes equity investments in biotech companies, not just grants

Strategic Involvement: Provides guidance and connections beyond funding

Reinvestment: Returns from investments are recycled into additional research

Risk Tolerance: Accepts higher risk than traditional funders

Portfolio Approach: Builds diverse portfolio of therapeutic approaches

Investment Criteria

The ADDF evaluates potential investments based on:

Scientific Merit: Novel mechanism of action with strong preclinical data
Team: Experienced management and scientific advisors
Timeline: Realistic path to clinical development
Market Opportunity: Significant unmet medical need
Strategic Fit: Alignment with ADDF research priorities

This model has proven effective in advancing promising therapies that might not receive funding through traditional sources. By taking equity positions, the ADDF aligns its interests with company success while maintaining a charitable mission.

Funding Programs

Drug Development Program

The core funding mechanism for therapeutic development[@programs]:

Award Structure

Seed Awards: Up to $150,000 for early-stage research
Development Awards: Up to $600,000 for preclinical development
Translation Awards: Up to $1 million for IND-enabling studies

Focus Areas

The program specifically targets novel drug mechanisms related to the biology of aging[@rfp]:

Epigenetics — Therapeutic approaches targeting epigenetic modifications that affect gene expression in the aging brain

Inflammation — Neuroinflammation and immune modulation to address the inflammatory component of neurodegeneration

Mitochondrial/Metabolic Function — Cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial health

Neuroprotection — Approaches to protect neurons from degeneration

Proteostasis — Protein folding, aggregation, and clearance mechanisms

Synaptic Activity — Synaptic function and plasticity

Vascular Function — Cerebrovascular health and blood-brain barrier integrity

Excluded Areas

The ADDF explicitly does NOT fund[@rfp]:

Amyloid-targeted approaches (monoclonal antibodies, aggregation inhibitors)
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Symptomatic treatments
Generic drug repurposing without novel mechanism

This strategic focus reflects the ADDF's commitment to funding truly novel approaches that address underlying disease mechanisms rather than incremental improvements on failed strategies.

Diagnostics Accelerator

The Diagnostics Accelerator is a $150 million initiative launched in 2018 and significantly expanded in 2023 to advance novel biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's disease[@diagnostics][@business2023]:

Focus Areas

Blood-Based Biomarkers

Development of blood tests for Alzheimer's detection
Validation of biomarker panels
Point-of-care testing development
Integration with clinical practice

Digital Biomarkers

Voice and speech analysis
Movement and gait analysis
Smartphone-based cognitive assessments
Wearable device data

Novel Detection Methods

CSF biomarkers
Imaging agents
Multi-omics approaches
Computational diagnostics

Early Diagnostic Tools

Pre-symptomatic detection
Risk stratification
Disease progression markers
Treatment response biomarkers

Key Initiatives

Blood Test Initiative: Funding development of blood-based tests that can detect Alzheimer's pathology before symptoms appear
Digital Biomarker Program: Supporting development of technology-based tools for early detection
Validation Studies: Funding large-scale validation of promising biomarkers
Clinical Implementation: Working to move biomarkers from research to clinical use

The Diagnostics Accelerator represents the largest single investment in Alzheimer's diagnostics by a non-profit organization and has catalyzed significant progress in the field.

ADDF-Harrington Scholar Program

A joint program with the Harrington Discovery Institute providing funding and mentorship to accelerate breakthrough discoveries[@harrington]:

Program Features

Funding: Up to $400,000 over two years
Mentorship: Access to drug development experts
Strategic Guidance: Business development support
Network Access: Connections to pharmaceutical partners

The program is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and pharmaceutical development, providing the resources and expertise needed to advance promising discoveries toward clinical testing.

Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Alzheimer's Disease (AMP-AD)

A public-private partnership focused on identifying new therapeutic targets and biomarkers[@about]:

Partners

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Pharmaceutical companies
Academic research institutions

Goals

Identify novel drug targets
Develop biomarkers for patient selection
Share data and resources
Accelerate clinical trials

Melvin R. Goodes Prize

An award for excellence in Alzheimer's drug development[@goodes]:

Award Details

$500,000 prize recognizing significant advances
Annual award to leading researchers
Named in honor of ADDF board member

2026 Recipient

The 2026 prize was awarded to Randall J. Bateman, MD, for his work on novel clinical trial designs and biomarker development.

Frontotemporal Dementia Program

The ADDF has expanded to include frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as a focus area[@ftda]:

Program Features

Specific funding for FTD research
Focus on novel therapeutic approaches
Collaboration with FTD advocacy organizations
Research on disease mechanisms unique to FTD

SpeechDx Program

A research initiative focused on speech-based diagnostics[@speechdx]:

Focus Areas

Development of speech analysis tools
Voice biomarkers for early detection
Integration with digital health platforms
Clinical validation studies

Priority Research Areas

The ADDF prioritizes research targeting the fundamental biology of aging that contributes to Alzheimer's disease[@research]:

Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation has emerged as a critical driver of Alzheimer's pathogenesis. The ADDF funds research on:

Microglial Activation: Understanding how immune cells in the brain contribute to neurodegeneration
Inflammasome Inhibition: Targeting NLRP3 and other inflammasomes
Cytokine Modulation: Developing anti-inflammatory therapies
TREM2 Pathways: Supporting research on TREM2 variants and microglial function

Epigenetics

The ADDF recognizes that epigenetic changes during aging contribute to cognitive decline:

DNA Methylation: Understanding age-related methylation changes
Histone Modifications: Targeting histone acetylation and deacetylation
Non-coding RNAs: Exploring microRNA and long non-coding RNA involvement
Reversibility: Developing drugs that can reverse harmful epigenetic changes

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging and neurodegeneration:

Bioenergetics: Supporting mitochondrial function
Oxidative Stress: Protecting against reactive oxygen species
Mitophagy: Enhancing clearance of damaged mitochondria
Metabolic Pathways: Addressing brain energy metabolism

Synaptic Health

Synaptic loss correlates strongly with cognitive decline:

Synaptic Plasticity: Supporting formation and maintenance of synapses
Presynaptic Function: Understanding neurotransmitter release
Postsynaptic Density: Targeting scaffold proteins and receptors
Network Function: Maintaining neural circuit integrity

Vascular Health

Cerebrovascular dysfunction contributes to Alzheimer's pathology:

Blood-Brain Barrier: Protecting and repairing the BBB
Cerebral Blood Flow: Maintaining adequate perfusion
Pericyte Function: Supporting vascular stability
Angiogenesis: Promoting healthy blood vessel formation

Portfolio Companies

The ADDF has invested in numerous biotechnology companies developing Alzheimer's therapeutics. The portfolio spans multiple therapeutic modalities and mechanisms[@portfolio]:

Anti-Amyloid Approaches (Selected)

While the ADDF does not fund new amyloid-focused programs, its portfolio includes legacy investments:

Acumen Pharmaceuticals — Anti-amyloid beta oligomer antibodies
Alzheon — Amyloid aggregation inhibitors
AC Immune — Anti-amyloid vaccines and antibodies
Prothena — Amyloid-targeting antibodies

Neuroprotection and Novel Mechanisms

Axsome Therapeutics — Novel CNS therapeutics
Cortexyme — Novel anti-infective approach targeting gingipains
Anavex Life Sciences — Sigma-1 receptor agonists
Athira Pharma — Neuroprotection via HGF/MET pathway

Tau and Neurofibrillary Pathology

Alnylam — RNAi therapeutics for tau
Cerevel Therapeutics — Tau-targeted small molecules
Pinteon Therapeutics — Tau-targeted immunotherapies

Neuroinflammation

Denali Therapeutics — LRRK2 inhibitors for neuroinflammation
NodThera — NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors
Inmune Bio — Cytokine modulation

Other Notable Investments

Alector — Immune-glial targeting
Lexeo Therapeutics — Gene therapy for Alzheimer's
Life Biosciences — Multi-target approach
Neumora Therapeutics — Precision neurology

Leadership

Executive Team

Isobel Coleman — Chief Executive Officer
Howard Fillit, MD — Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer
Leonard A. Lauder — Co-Founder and Co-Chairman (emeritus)

Board of Directors

The ADDF is governed by a distinguished board including:

Business leaders from pharmaceutical and finance industries
Scientific advisors with expertise in neurodegeneration
Patient advocates

Scientific Advisory Board

The organization benefits from leading scientists in:

Alzheimer's research
Drug development
Biomarker development
Clinical trials

Impact and Accomplishments

Research Impact

The ADDF's investments have contributed to:

Novel Target Identification: Discovery of new therapeutic targets beyond amyloid

Biomarker Development: Advancement of blood tests and digital biomarkers

Company Formation: Creation of multiple biotech companies

Clinical Trials: Advancement of novel therapies into clinical testing

Portfolio Success

The ADDF portfolio includes:

Companies that have gone public
Therapies in late-stage clinical trials
Strategic acquisitions by pharmaceutical companies
FDA approvals for portfolio companies

Field Leadership

The ADDF has become a thought leader in:

Alternative therapeutic approaches
Diagnostics development
Venture philanthropy in neurodegeneration
Open science and data sharing

Financial Overview

The ADDF operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a unique financial model[@about]:

Revenue Sources

Donations and contributions
Investment returns
Foundation grants

Investment Returns

Returns are reinvested in research
Supports sustainable funding model

Financial Scale

Total funding: Hundreds of millions invested
Diagnostics Accelerator: $150 million commitment
Annual grant-making: Significant annual expenditures

Collaboration and Partnerships

Academic Partnerships

The ADDF collaborates with leading research institutions:

University research centers
Medical schools
Teaching hospitals
Research institutes

Pharmaceutical Partnerships

Working with major pharmaceutical companies:

Drug development collaborations: Co-development agreements with pharmaceutical partners
Clinical trial partnerships: Support for industry-sponsored trials
Data sharing initiatives: Open science collaborations
Target validation programs: Joint validation of novel targets
Patient access programs: Supporting patient access to experimental therapies

The pharmaceutical partnerships are critical for advancing promising therapies through late-stage clinical development. While the ADDF excels at early-stage funding, pharmaceutical partners provide the resources and expertise needed for large-scale clinical trials and regulatory approval.

Government Partnerships

The ADDF works closely with government research agencies:

National Institute on Aging (NIH): Largest single funder of Alzheimer's research, collaborating on AMP-AD and other initiatives
European Union research programs: Participation in EU-funded dementia research
National dementia strategies: Advisory role in national Alzheimer's plans
FDA engagement: Dialogue with regulatory agencies on biomarker development and clinical trial design

Non-Profit Partnerships

The ADDF collaborates with other non-profit organizations:

Alzheimer's Association: Joint initiatives on research and advocacy
Alzheimer's Disease International: Global collaboration on awareness and research
Patient advocacy organizations: Partnerships with disease-specific organizations
Research foundations: Collaboration with other disease-focused foundations
Family foundations: Partnerships with other family philanthropies

These partnerships amplify the impact of ADDF investments by combining resources, expertise, and networks across the Alzheimer's research ecosystem.

Detailed Program Descriptions

Drug Development Program Deep Dive

The Drug Development Program is the cornerstone of ADDF funding[@programs]:

Stage-Specific Funding

Discovery Stage (Seed Awards)

Maximum award: $150,000
Duration: 12-18 months
Focus: Target validation, lead identification
Eligible activities: In vitro studies, preliminary animal work, medicinal chemistry

Preclinical Development (Development Awards)

Maximum award: $600,000
Duration: 18-24 months
Focus: Lead optimization, IND-enabling studies
Eligible activities: Pharmacokinetics, toxicology, formulation development

Translation (Translation Awards)

Maximum award: $1,000,000
Duration: 24-36 months
Focus: IND-enabling to Phase I
Eligible activities: GMP manufacturing, regulatory support, Phase I trials

Review Process

Applications undergo rigorous peer review:

Letter of Intent: Initial screening for fit and quality

Full Application: Detailed scientific and business plan

External Review: Evaluation by scientific and business experts

Investment Committee: Final review and funding decision

Due Diligence: Detailed review of company and technology

Diagnostics Accelerator Deep Dive

The Diagnostics Accelerator represents a transformative investment in Alzheimer's diagnostics[@diagnostics]:

Funding Initiatives

Blood-Based Biomarker Program
The ADDF has prioritized blood-based biomarkers as the most promising approach to early detection. Current projects include:

Plasma Aβ42/40 ratio assays
p-tau217 and p-tau181 measurements
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) testing
Multi-marker panels for improved accuracy

Digital Biomarker Program
Novel digital approaches being funded include:

Voice analysis for cognitive assessment
Smartphone-based cognitive testing
Wearable device data for movement analysis
Passive monitoring systems

CSF Biomarker Program
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers continue to be important:

Novel CSF marker validation
Less invasive collection methods
Point-of-care CSF testing

Strategic Partnerships

The Diagnostics Accelerator works with:

Leading diagnostic companies
Academic medical centers
Pharmaceutical companies
Regulatory agencies

ADDF-Harrington Scholar Program Details

The ADDF-Harrington Scholar Program combines ADDF's scientific expertise with Harrington's drug development capabilities[@harrington]:

Scholar Benefits

Funding: Up to $400,000 over two years
Mentorship: Access to team of drug development experts
Business Development: Support for commercialization
Network Access: Connections to pharmaceutical partners

Selection Criteria

Scientific innovation
Translational potential
Team capabilities
Institutional support

AMP-AD Partnership Details

The Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Alzheimer's Disease represents a unique public-private collaboration[@about]:

Consortium Structure

Academic Partners: Multiple universities and research centers
Government Partners: NIH/NIA
Pharmaceutical Partners: Major pharmaceutical companies

The partnership has created an unprecedented data resource:

Genomics data from thousands of brains
Transcriptomics across disease progression
Proteomics and metabolomics data
Clinical data integration

This open-science approach has accelerated target identification and biomarker development across the field.

Frontotemporal Dementia Program

The ADDF's FTD program addresses a significant unmet need[@ftda]:

Program Focus

Genetic Forms: Support for research on GRN, MAPT, C9orf72 mutations
Sporadic FTD: Understanding non-genetic forms
Clinical Trials: Supporting intervention studies
Biomarkers: Developing FTD-specific biomarkers

Collaboration

The FTD program works with:

FTD advocacy organizations
Academic FTD centers
Pharmaceutical companies with FTD programs

Impact Assessment

Scientific Impact

The ADDF's investments have contributed to significant scientific advances:

Novel Target Validation: Multiple new therapeutic targets validated through ADDF-funded research

Biomarker Discovery: Discovery of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

Clinical Trial Innovation: Development of novel trial designs and endpoints

Technology Development: Advancement of drug delivery and formulation technologies

Industry Impact

The ADDF has influenced the pharmaceutical industry:

Portfolio Company Success: Multiple companies acquired or gone public

Partner Engagement: Increased industry interest in non-amyloid approaches

Pipeline Development: Multiple ADDF-supported programs in clinical development

Risk Capital Mobilization: Attracted additional investment to the field

Field Leadership

The ADDF has become a thought leader:

Conference Leadership: Major presentations at scientific conferences

Publication Influence: High-impact publications in top journals

Policy Input: Advisory roles in national and international research planning

Media Coverage: Regular coverage in scientific and popular media

Financial Model Details

Revenue and Investment

The ADDF operates on a unique financial model[@about]:

Revenue Sources

Individual Donors: Major gifts from individuals
Foundation Grants: Support from other foundations
Corporate Partners: Pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies
Investment Returns: Returns from portfolio companies

Investment Returns

The venture philanthropy model generates returns:

Equity Appreciation: Value increases in portfolio companies
Exit Events: IPOs and acquisitions generate returns
Dividend Income: Some investments generate income
Reinvestment: Returns are recycled into new investments

Financial Scale

Total Capital Invested: Hundreds of millions across portfolio
Annual Grant-making: Significant annual expenditure on new awards
Diagnostics Accelerator: $150 million committed over multiple years
Administrative Efficiency: Low overhead maximizes research funding

Governance and Operations

Governance Structure

The ADDF is governed by:

Board of Directors: Strategic oversight and fiduciary responsibility
Scientific Advisory Board: Scientific direction and review
Investment Committee: Investment decisions and portfolio management

Operational Efficiency

The ADDF maintains:

Lean Operations: Small team maximizes research funding
Expertise: Staff with drug development and scientific expertise
Network: Extensive network of collaborators and advisors
Flexibility: Ability to move quickly on promising opportunities

Future Directions

The ADDF continues to evolve and expand its impact[@about][@news2024]:

Strategic Priorities

Precision Medicine: Developing therapies for specific subtypes of Alzheimer's

Understanding heterogeneity in Alzheimer's pathogenesis
Targeting specific molecular subtypes
Personalized treatment approaches

Combination Therapies: Supporting approaches that target multiple mechanisms

Combining novel mechanisms with traditional approaches
Multi-target interventions
Rational drug combinations

Prevention: Funding trials in pre-symptomatic populations

Identifying at-risk individuals
Early intervention strategies
Lifestyle modification studies

Biomarker-Driven Trials: Using biomarkers for patient selection and endpoint measurement

Surrogate endpoints for faster trials
Patient stratification
Treatment response monitoring

Growth Areas

The ADDF is expanding into new areas:

Expanded FTD Program: Increased focus on frontotemporal dementia
Additional Diagnostic Modalities: Beyond blood and digital biomarkers
International Partnerships: Expanded global collaboration
New Funding Mechanisms: Alternative structures for larger programs

Emerging Priorities

Glial Biology: Understanding microglia and astrocytes in disease
Metabolism: Brain metabolism and metabolic dysfunction
Circadian Rhythms: Sleep and circadian contributions to neurodegeneration
Multi-Omics: Integration of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics

[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
[Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials](/clinical-trials/alzheimers-disease-trials)
[Frontotemporal Dementia](/diseases/frontotemporal-dementia)
[Dementia with Lewy Bodies](/diseases/dementia-with-lewy-bodies)
[Primary Progressive Aphasia](/diseases/primary-progressive-aphasia)

[Anti-Amyloid Therapies](/therapeutics/anti-amyloid-therapeutics)
[Anti-Tau Therapies](/therapeutics/anti-tau-therapeutics)
[Neuroprotection](/therapeutics/neuroprotection)
[Anti-Inflammatory Therapies](/therapeutics/anti-inflammatory-therapies)
[Epigenetic Therapies](/therapeutics/epigenetic-therapies)
[Mitochondrial Therapies](/therapeutics/mitochondrial-therapies)
[Vascular Therapies](/therapeutics/vascular-therapies)

[NIH National Institute on Aging](/institutions/nih-national-institute-on-aging)
[Alzheimer's Association](/institutions/alzheimers-association)
[Alzheimer's Clinical Trial Consortium](/institutions/alzheimers-clinical-trial-consortium)
[Banner Alzheimer's Institute](/institutions/banner-alzheimers-institute)

Contact Information

Address: 57 West 57th Street, Suite 904, New York, NY 10019
Email: info@alzdiscovery.org
Phone: 212.901.8000
Website: www.alzdiscovery.org
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

References

[Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. Official website](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/) (n.d.)

[ADDF Funding Programs](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/funding) (n.d.)

[ADDF Diagnostics Accelerator](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/diagnostics-accelerator) (n.d.)

[ADDF-Harrington Scholar Program](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/harrington-scholar) (n.d.)

[Melvin R. Goodes Prize](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/goodes-prize) (n.d.)

[Business Wire. Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Launches $150 Million Diagnostics Accelerator. December 2023](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231207005677/) (2023)

[ADDF Drug Development RFP](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/drug-development-rfp) (n.d.)

[ADDF Research Areas](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/research-areas) (n.d.)

[ADDF News and Updates 2024](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/news) (2024)

[ADDF Accelerating Drug Discovery for FTD](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/ftd-program) (n.d.)

[ADDF Portfolio Companies](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/portfolio) (n.d.)

[ADDF SpeechDx Program](https://www.alzdiscovery.org/speechdx) (n.d.)

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📗 Cite This Artifact

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)

Overview

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)

Overview

History and Foundation

Founding and Early Years

Growth and Evolution

Venture Philanthropy Model

How It Works

Investment Criteria

Funding Programs

Drug Development Program

Award Structure

Focus Areas

Excluded Areas

Diagnostics Accelerator

Focus Areas

Key Initiatives

ADDF-Harrington Scholar Program

Program Features

Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Alzheimer's Disease (AMP-AD)

Partners

Goals

Melvin R. Goodes Prize

Award Details

2026 Recipient

Frontotemporal Dementia Program

Program Features

SpeechDx Program

Focus Areas

Priority Research Areas

Neuroinflammation

Epigenetics

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Synaptic Health

Vascular Health

Portfolio Companies

Anti-Amyloid Approaches (Selected)

Neuroprotection and Novel Mechanisms

Tau and Neurofibrillary Pathology

Neuroinflammation

Other Notable Investments

Leadership

Executive Team

Board of Directors

Scientific Advisory Board

Impact and Accomplishments

Research Impact

Portfolio Success

Field Leadership

Financial Overview

Revenue Sources

Investment Returns

Financial Scale

Collaboration and Partnerships

Academic Partnerships

Pharmaceutical Partnerships

Government Partnerships

Non-Profit Partnerships

Detailed Program Descriptions

Drug Development Program Deep Dive

Stage-Specific Funding

Review Process

Diagnostics Accelerator Deep Dive

Funding Initiatives

Strategic Partnerships

ADDF-Harrington Scholar Program Details

Scholar Benefits

Selection Criteria

AMP-AD Partnership Details

Consortium Structure

Data Sharing

Frontotemporal Dementia Program

Program Focus

Collaboration

Impact Assessment

Scientific Impact

Industry Impact