Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges: Innovations for Exceptionally Low-Cost Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Manufacturing – Post Proof of Concept

With efforts to improve technology and affordability, mAb costs have decreased significantly in the last 30 years and have stagnated at around $50-100 per gram. In order to improve mAb affordability in low- and middle-income countries, we will need to reach a final drug substance cost-of-goods of $10 per gram.
Proposals are solicited to develop proof-of-concept for manufacturing platforms that produce monoclonal antibodies at a final drug substance cost-of-goods of $10/gram (Option A (application by 31.1.25)). The goal is to catalyze and accelerate multiple, diverse, innovative bioprocessing approaches that hold the promise of low cost-of-goods mAbs.
Additionally, Gates Foundation is interested in hearing from organizations that have already completed proof-of-concept work that could result in cost-of-goods of $10/gram and may be interested in additional support (Option B (application by 31.5.25)).
Objectives of the challenge (both Option A and Option B):  Advance innovative and bold ideas that enhance production efficiency and improve overall process economics for mAb production, resulting in a final drug substance cost-of-goods of $10/gram. This includes, but is not limited to:
* Alternative hosts to mammalian cell culture
* Alternative to standard downstream purification methods
* Reduction in material costs
* Push the boundaries of current technology by harnessing disruptive innovations, possibly from parallel industries, and identify process improvements to reduce manufacturing costs
* Rethink existing methods of working such as release testing process and costs, high-quality and affordable raw materials and critical reagents
Funding: Option A: up to $750K for up to 18 months.  Option B: Potential funding and grant terms will be evaluated on a per-project basis.
https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/innovations-exceptionally-low-cost-monoclonal-antibody-mab-manufacturing