Funding for rare disease research has traditionally been led by government agencies like the NIH, but there are increasing opportunities for a wide variety of funding mechanisms to play a role in advancing research and therapeutic development. This panel will explore the diverse ecosystem of funders within the rare disease space, including philanthropic organizations, venture philanthropy, impact investors, and biotech developers. We’ll discuss innovative funding models such as venture philanthropy and biotech-focused investments, as well as the concept of spillover economics, in which funding in one area of research catalyzes broader benefits across multiple fields. Importantly, we’ll examine how these various funders can collaborate and how their combined efforts can accelerate research and development for rare diseases. This panel will highlight the power of partnership, innovative finance, and cross-sector collaboration in building a sustainable and impactful rare disease research ecosystem. Participants will:
- Hear about the range of funding sources driving rare disease research
- Gain insights into innovative funding models
- Explore strategies to foster collaboration among diverse funders and stakeholders