Repurposing Medicines: Expanding Horizons for Patient Impact

March 21, 2024

The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) has been investigating the challenges in repurposing on-patent medicines, particularly in oncology, to evaluate where its philanthropic mission could make the greatest impact for patients. To do so, we have collaborated with Anticancer Fund, a pioneer in the field of drug repurposing, to understand the landscape better. As a result, we published a whitepaper on the current state of on-patent drug repurposing from the perspective of research funders. The whitepaper highlights commercial, regulatory, and social factors relevant to funders. The role of clinical trials and marketing authorization holders in label extension pathways is underscored, contrasting it with the suboptimal use of ‘off-label’ drugs. 

The whitepaper has guided us to expand our philanthropic scope to support on-patent drug repurposing applications for patient populations with high unmet needs. We believe this will accelerate the development of safe and effective treatments for patients with no other treatment options available. 

Please visit our website for more information.

Additionally, the RTFCCR team was proud to attend the International Drug Repurposing Conference 2024 in Barcelona, where key opinion leaders from both the research and patient communities, funders, regulators, and representatives from the private sector participated to collectively advance innovative drug repurposing in Europe and beyond. 

Alexandre Alencar shared insights at the panel “Cancer path – Trailing repurposed drugs with access to patients in mind.” 

Karolina Weryńska and Paola Atzei presented a poster focusing on funders’ perspectives on drug repurposing. 

RTFCCR has joined the REMEDI4ALL Funders Network to discuss the incentives and funding opportunities to support drug repurposing projects.