Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs) makes available, on a competitive basis, certain critical resources needed for the development of new therapeutic agents. Investigators do not receive grant funds through this program. Instead, successful applicants receive access to NIH contractors who conduct preclinical studies at no cost to the investigator. In general, synthesis, formulation, pharmacokinetic, and toxicology services in support of investigator-held Investigational New Drug (IND) applications to the Food and Drug Administration are available. In FY 2013, four new BrIDGs projects were approved. These include small molecule therapies for Chronic Pain and Peritoneal Cancers as well as a recombinant protein therapy for Spinal Cord Injury and enzyme replacement therapy for Familial Lecithin-Cholesterol Acyltransferase (LCAT) Deficiency. The LCAT deficiency project was discontinued in April 2013 after the applicant organization was obtained by AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca has accepted responsibility for further development of the proposed therapeutic agent. Other ongoing projects support the development of potential therapies for Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency, Alzheimer?s Disease, Anemia of Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, Chronic Dry Eye, Epilepsy, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, Hyperinsulinism, Hypoparathyroidism, Pancreatic Cancer, Niemann-Pick C Disease, Metabolic Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Traumatic Brain Injury. In February 2013, BrIDGs solicited applications for new projects. Fifty applications were received and multiple awards are expected in September 2013. Products are being developed for the treatment of Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency, Alzheimer?s Disease, Anemia of Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, Chronic Dry Eye, Epilepsy, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, Hyperinsulinism, Hypoparathyroidism, Peritoneal Cancers, Niemann-Pick C Disease, Metabolic Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury.
