1. Leaders in Antifungal R&D EU Grant Funding An SME perspective Dr Mike Birch

2. Leaders in Antifungal R&D FP6:1 EURESFUN: Integrated post-genomic approaches in the understanding, detection and prevention of antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens LSH-2004-2.1.2-4: Control of anti-fungal drug resistance (especially orientated towards involvement of SMEs) – STREP 2005-20083.7M Euro 10 Partners 8 Academic 2 SMEs COORDINATOR: Prof SANGLARD University of LausanneF2G: Partner 1)Developed and ran two HTS screens 2)Qualified HT combination screening techniques 3)Identified antifungal hits 4)Identified potentiators of azole activity 5)Formed lasting ties with UK and EU collaborators 6)Experience of EU Framework programmes and procedures

3. Leaders in Antifungal R&D FP6:2 NPARI: Novel Peptides Against Resistant Infections LSH2005 2.1.25. Development of novel principles for antimicrobial treatment. STREP- Dedicated to SME’s 2006-20104.3M Euro 5 Partners 2 Academic 3 SMEs COORDINATOR : Dr Mike Birch F2G 1)Experience of Framework coordination 2)Technical knowledge of peptide analysis 3)Novel models for respiratory infections 4)In Licencing opportunity 5)Follow on projects

4. Leaders in Antifungal R&D FP7:1 FINSYSB: Pathogenomics and Systems Biology of Fungal Infections: An Integrated Approach FP7: Marie Curie Action. Training Network 2008-20113.65M Euro 11 Partners 10 Academic 1 SME Coordinator Prof Al Brown University of AberdeenF2G:Partner 1)Validated 5 gene target in Candida 2)Developed and ran 1 HTS 3)Identified and qualified active hits 4)Accessed Candida molecular technology 5)Acquired Candida molecular assets 6)ESR gained PhD (now employed at F2G) 7)Publications 8)Enhanced Patent cover

5. Leaders in Antifungal R&D FP7:2 FUNGIBRAIN: Sensing and integrating polarity and tropism in fungi FP7: Marie Curie Action. Initial Training Network 20013-20163.9 M Euro 11 Partners 8Academic 1SME 2 LE Coordinator Prof Nick Read University of ManchesterF2G:Partner 1.Develop new high content screens in fungi 2.Access fungal imaging systems 3.Investigate “live” cellular responses in fungi

6. Leaders in Antifungal R&D FP7:3 NOFUN: Novel antifungals against resistant infections FP7: HEALTH.2013.2.3.1-1: Drugs and vaccines for infections that have developed or are at risk of developing significant anti-microbial resistance 20013-20166.1 M Euro 5 Partners 2Academic 3SME Scientific Coordinator :Dr Mike Birch F2G Administrative Coordinator :Dr Mike Bromley University of Manchester F2G:Partner 1)Advance LO series to candidate selection 2)Advance LI series to candidate identification 3)Determine MoA of selective antifungal inhibitors 4)Patent filings 5)Publications

7. Leaders in Antifungal R&D F2G Experiences in EU Grant Applications

8. Leaders in Antifungal R&D Frameworks Calls Published late June/July ●Just in time for holiday season ●Submission Oct Draft versions from March ●If you look or from National Contact point Read Carefully ●Often complex and varied eligibility rules ●Can vary within call Ensure project within scope ●Don’t shoehorn you project into a call Increasingly SMEs required in applications ●Often minimum number or minimum % of award to SMEs

9. Leaders in Antifungal R&D EU procedures Often complex and bureaucratic Multiple guidelines for each stage of the process No real substitute to working through them Actually clear and helpful Once familiar with the “ropes” then knowledge is applicable to most calls Use National Contact Point

10. Leaders in Antifungal R&D Building Your Consortium Think about partner v Coordinator role ●Partners can be passive in submission process Build the work packages first ●Usual collaborators not always “best” Choose partners best suited to fulfil scientific tasks. ●Don’t rely on usual collaborators – they may not be the best Integrate SMEs early ! ●Identify and work with SMEs to form coherent work plan Use National Contact Point

11. Leaders in Antifungal R&D Process Process from writing submitting and hearing response can take many months Can be >1 year from call to receiving funds NOFUN submitted Oct 12 -Starts July 13 Once accepted as fundable, project goes through a negotiation phase. Projects can fail here, often through failure to adhere to timelines Don’t ignore EC deadlines ●Previously deadlines have been flexible ●This is changing

12. Leaders in Antifungal R&D IP Issues IP perhaps the most contentious area around EU funding Background stays with originator Foreground lies with inventor When several partners are involved in IP generation, IP MUST be shared. Consortium Agreement vehicle for agreeing IP arrangements BEFORE project begins Often cause of disagreement

13. Leaders in Antifungal R&D Summary EU funding valuable source of income for SMEs Often requirement for SMEs to participate Process often long and involved but this is borne by coordinator EU funding intended to foster collaboration so be prepared to collaborate Think carefully about risks v benefits wrt IP Funding increasingly focussed on projects that deliver “near market” outcomes