Mission Statement
The Styrke Foundation for Rare Disease Research and Treatment
The Styrke Foundation is dedicated to driving groundbreaking research and development for rare genetic and haematological diseases.
By leveraging the power of genetic commonality and bridging the “valley of death” in drug development, we aim to accelerate the discovery and delivery of life-changing therapies for millions of children affected by these often overlooked conditions.
Our mission is to be a catalyst for innovation, empowering patients and families worldwide by providing hope and transforming lives.
Why is Styrke Vital for Rare Disease Patients?
A Massive Unmet Medical Need
Rare diseases, often characterized by their small, fragmented patient populations, present a unique challenge for medical research and development. Due to the limited market size, investors and venture capital firms may perceive these conditions as offering insufficient returns, leading to a lack of funding and support.
The Power of Genetic Commonality
Despite their individual rarity, rare diseases often share a genetic commonality. When combined, these diseases collectively affect millions of children worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions.
Styrke’s Approach: Bridging the Valley of Death
Styrke is committed to addressing the massive unmet medical need for rare diseases by developing platform technologies that can be applied across multiple illnesses. This approach brings scalability to the discovery process, allowing for more efficient and effective research.
Furthermore, Styrke focuses on translating basic pre-clinical science into clinical results, bridging the so-called “valley of death” in biotech development. This critical stage often lacks adequate funding, hindering the progression of promising therapies.
A Development Engine for Cures
Unlike traditional research engines, Styrke is a development engine. We are dedicated to developing cures based on sound and validated scientific discoveries. By focusing on the later stages of the development process, we aim to accelerate the path to market for life-changing treatments.
Research and Development Grants
The Stryke Foundation primarily provides grants, but also offers loans or direct investments to support research and development of autologous gene therapies and platforms.
These therapies target ultra-rare diseases, with an initial focus on hematological disease, particularly Diamond Blackfan Anemia Syndrome.
The foundation seeks to fund organizations involved in sourcing, researching, discovering cures, and developing therapies based on autologous gene technology.
This support extends to scientists, laboratories, departments, institutions, hospitals, and companies with dedicated initiatives aligned with the Stryke Foundation’s mission.
Clinical Trial & Patient Support Grants
The Stryke Foundation offers grants and loans to support organizations, patients, and their families involved in autologous transplant gene therapy clinical trials.
These trials aim to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of these therapies for ultra-rare hematological diseases, with an initial focus on Diamond Blackfan Anemia and expressed through a RPS-19 gene mutation.
Funding may be provided directly to organizations or through third-party vendors and participants.
Grants cover a range of expenses, including travel, living costs, clinical trial enrollment fees, general trial costs, pre-trial evaluations, and other related expenditures typically borne by sponsors, medical centers, or patients and their families.
As gene therapy platforms prove adaptable to treating multiple single-gene diseases, the foundation may expand grant eligibility beyond hematological conditions.
Regulatory Support Grants
The Stryke Foundation offers grants and loans to organizations involved in obtaining FDA and EMA approval for autologous gene therapy clinical trials and commercialization.
These funds support the development of regulatory strategies and the creation of necessary documentation for both pre-clinical and commercial stages of gene therapies targeting ultra-rare hematological and single-gene diseases.
Patient Access Grants
The Stryke Foundation provides grants or direct payment to cover the cost of autologous gene therapies for patients who lack or have limited insurance coverage.
This support is extended to patients who have benefited from therapies originally supported or sponsored by the Foundation.
The goal is to ensure that no eligible patient is denied access to treatments developed in partnership with the Foundation.
Manufacturing Grants
The Stryke Foundation primarily provides grants, but also offers loans or direct investments to support research and development of autologous gene therapies and platforms.
These therapies target ultra-rare diseases, with an initial focus on hematological illnesses, particularly Diamond Black Fan Anemia.
The foundation seeks to fund organizations involved in sourcing, researching, discovering cures, and developing therapies based on autologous gene technology.
This support extends to scientists, laboratories, departments, institutions, hospitals, and companies with dedicated initiatives aligned with the Stryke Foundation’s mission.
Join Us in the Fight Against Rare Diseases
Empower Patients, Transform Lives
Your generous donation can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals affected by rare diseases.
By supporting The Styrke Foundation, you are investing in a brighter future for countless patients and families.
Donate today and join us in the fight against these often overlooked conditions.