Ben Williams
@benwill.bsky.social
Scientist and grantmaker. My personal interests in biomedical research, biotech, and philanthropy. And maybe some baseball
It's interesting how some charities and foundations need to fund later in drug development to achieve their goals (venture philanthropy, program-related investments), while at the same time, some for-profit entities (İş, Arena BioWorks) are exploring pushing earlier to achieve their goals
June 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
It's interesting how some charities and foundations need to fund later in drug development to achieve their goals (venture philanthropy, program-related investments), while at the same time, some for-profit entities (İş, Arena BioWorks) are exploring pushing earlier to achieve their goals
The press release mentioned that the $39M is over 10 years. Are they paying indirects? If so, that might put the funding at closer
to ~$2M/year in direct costs.
to ~$2M/year in direct costs.
June 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The press release mentioned that the $39M is over 10 years. Are they paying indirects? If so, that might put the funding at closer
to ~$2M/year in direct costs.
to ~$2M/year in direct costs.
More coverage here www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...
Mum says new diabetes drug would be 'kind of magic' if it works
The drug, given as an injection under the skin, combines fragments of a protein found in the beta cells of people with type 1 diabetes and vitamin D to calm the immune response.
www.abc.net.au
May 2, 2025 at 6:16 PM
More coverage here www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...
“Vertex plans to conduct further analyses, including of explanted devices, to better understand these findings.” This will be key to guide everyone’s development of encapsulation devices…and perhaps ensure that non-device approaches (eg gene editing) are fully pursued in parallel
April 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
“Vertex plans to conduct further analyses, including of explanted devices, to better understand these findings.” This will be key to guide everyone’s development of encapsulation devices…and perhaps ensure that non-device approaches (eg gene editing) are fully pursued in parallel
All the foundations that I’m aware of are similar to HHMI (yearly payments are the most common). One might occasionally find a 6-month payment period (e.g. if it’s a large/high-risk grant). Payments based off milestones aren’t uncommon either, but they usually wouldn’t be more than a handful a year
March 12, 2025 at 1:39 PM
All the foundations that I’m aware of are similar to HHMI (yearly payments are the most common). One might occasionally find a 6-month payment period (e.g. if it’s a large/high-risk grant). Payments based off milestones aren’t uncommon either, but they usually wouldn’t be more than a handful a year
“Altman previously provided Retro Biosciences’ entire seed round of $180 million”. That is quite the seed round!
January 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
“Altman previously provided Retro Biosciences’ entire seed round of $180 million”. That is quite the seed round!
Administrative burden and high failure rates should be addressed. Of course, there’s value in (not excessive) grant writing: formulating ideas, improving research plans, killing low-impact activities, getting peer feedback. So what should the goal be? 10% of time?
December 17, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Administrative burden and high failure rates should be addressed. Of course, there’s value in (not excessive) grant writing: formulating ideas, improving research plans, killing low-impact activities, getting peer feedback. So what should the goal be? 10% of time?
In general, on-target/“off-organ” toxicology is something that I wish is discussed more in the discovery -> drug development transition, especially for T1D therapies
December 4, 2024 at 1:49 PM
In general, on-target/“off-organ” toxicology is something that I wish is discussed more in the discovery -> drug development transition, especially for T1D therapies
Funders can’t give a detailed review of every unsolicited proposal. But I’ve found that speaking to the reason, even on a high level, can be a respectful way to decline an idea, and build trust in the community (5/5)
November 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Funders can’t give a detailed review of every unsolicited proposal. But I’ve found that speaking to the reason, even on a high level, can be a respectful way to decline an idea, and build trust in the community (5/5)
Depending on the circumstance: “Sorry, we are already engaged with others who are taking a similar approach.” Or, “We have limited funds and are pursuing other concepts that are a better fit”, can get at the core reason for the decline. (4/5)
November 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Depending on the circumstance: “Sorry, we are already engaged with others who are taking a similar approach.” Or, “We have limited funds and are pursuing other concepts that are a better fit”, can get at the core reason for the decline. (4/5)