D3.1 Training landscape map
To understand what role REMEDi4ALL’s training will serve, it was crucial that there was an in-depth assessment of pre-existing training both specifically covering drug repurposing and covering different aspects of the drug repurposing/translational research pathway. Work Package 3 (WP3) believes that a strong training platform will not reinvent the wheel but use a collaborative approach and robust signposting to ensure REMEDi4ALL’s offering complements and enhances the existing training ecosystem. A number of methods were applied to build as full a picture of the current training landscape as possible. This included guided, targeted searching, one-to-one interviews, and the formation of a new, user-friendly and focused database of training. While many resources exist that offer signposting, information and guidance on drug repurposing, there is a significant gap in the formation of a centralized education and training platform that brings all stages of the process and all stakeholders together to offer a fully accessible and collaborative knowledge base. REMEDi4ALL’s training and education work package should aim to fill this gap.
WP3 – Training & Capacity BuildingD4.1 Report on AI tools and data
resources
Work package 4 (WP4) of REMEDi4ALL focuses on surveying and developing open-source artificial intelligence (AI) tools and databases for supporting user-driven in silico drug repurposing applications. Starting with a landscape analysis, Task 4.1 surveyed 196 in silico resources (tools, methods, and databases) in terms of their usefulness and reliability for various drug repurposing applications. For each resource, we provide a comprehensive list of annotations, such as open-data statistics and open-implementation of the databases and tools, respectively, and a summary ranking of the resources among 26 experts of the drug repurposing field. The survey results have been made available as a sustainable and extendable catalogue online at https://idrc-r4a.com/. Furthermore, Task 4.1 carried out three demonstrator use cases using selected in silico resources to guide the drug repurposing process in the demonstrators of the REMEDi4ALL project. This comprehensive survey and expert evaluation demonstrate the benefits of using in silico resources for drug repurposing and highlights some limitations and missing gaps in the current resources.
D6.1 Catalogue of experimental standards and workflows
The cataloguing of preclinical development services began with a workshop emphasising the preclinical expertise of REMEDi4ALL (R4ALL) consortium partners. This effort led to the creation of the R4ALL Knowledge Graph (KG), a comprehensive repository of expertise and services from partner organizations for drug repurposing projects (as described in detail in deliverable D2.3). Additionally, ongoing activities are focused on developing a series of Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that outline critical processes for the early-stage identification and validation of repurposed hit compounds. These REMEDi4ALL operating documents will be integrated into the R4ALL KG continuously during the lifetime of the R4ALL project.
D7.1 Report on services, expertise barriers in the clinical development
Deliverable D7.1 summarises the capacities and expertise available to support clinical development for drug repurposing within the REMEDi4ALL consortium, and closely related ecosystem, and the challenges and barriers of the clinical development process pertinent to drug repurposing.
It was important to identify the key challenges being faced by the four pilot projects and the capacities that exist within the REMEDi4ALL consortium to support repurposing projects to streamline the future work towards adding, expanding, and upgrading the consortium resources and expertise to support the repurposing community.
WP7 performed this gap analysis using a mixed method approach: in-depth interviews with demonstrator projects, a survey, a literature search, and collaboration with other work packages within the consortium to identify barriers in specific domains (funding, policy etc) to evaluate the maturity and readiness of the consortium to provide clinical development services to drug repurposing projects. Based on past experiences, long-standing portfolio to support clinical development and clinical operational services by ECRIN, and available expertise within the consortium, a blueprint to cover clinical aspects of the Repurposing Development Plan is also provided which can be adaptable to possible drug repurposing projects.
The complete range of clinical stage services available within the REMEDi4ALL consortium is listed in the accompanying document ‘Clinical Stage Services Catalogue’. The WP7 team aims to help the drug repurposing projects through their clinical stage journey and is enthusiastic to get in touch with the teams developing repurposed medicines to support them in their clinical operational tasks.
D9.1 Report on establishment of the Funders network
An active network of funders will be key to creating opportunities for synergising, exchanging best practices and reducing fragmentation in the drug repurposing funding landscape. It will enable the alignment of research agendas; help identify opportunities for joint calls and new funding collaborations and contribute to the development of new funding and business models. These, in turn, will promote/enable/incentivise drug repurposing projects and partnerships, and deliver high societal
impact and patient-oriented benefits.
In this deliverable we describe the (steps towards) establishment of an international broad and interactive network funders network for drug repurposing. The REMEDi4ALL Funders Network was
launched in October 2023 and as of January 2024 we have officially welcomed 23 members and three observers to the funders network. This comprises diverse funding entities – both equally public and private – from across the globe that are dedicated to advancing drug repurposing initiatives. We expect the network to grow in the coming months as more funders have expressed their interest. Funders are welcome to join at any point in the future.
D9.2 Starting pack of materials for creating joint calls
This deliverable offers a starting point for funders looking to create (joint-) funding calls. We have created a publicly available guiding document that provides pointers to information and materials to create calls specifically for drug repurposing projects. This guide primarily highlights and directs readers/users to relevant materials that already exist elsewhere. It does not replicate useful materials that have already been provided elsewhere but seeks instead to refer interested parties to excellent resources already available from ERA-LEARN, LifeArc and other experienced research funding institutions. In addition to highlighting this
wealth of existing information, new materials, where required, are included here. These are based on real-world examples from ZonMw, the Anticancer Fund and other members of the
REMEDi4ALL Funders Network. With this guide we aim to make the funding process as easy as possible for funders and stimulate funding of high-impact drug repurposing research.
D12.1 Report on the strategy and roadmap for collaboration with other synergies
REMEDi4ALL was designed from its conception as a multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder collaborative project aimed at creating continuous engagement and fostering collaboration with high priority initiatives and stakeholders in all drug repurposing areas. In this context, WP12 “Internationalisation and Networking” provides the structure to ensure these goals are met.
This deliverable aims to provide an overview of the strategy and
roadmap for collaboration with other synergies and initiatives in the field of drug repurposing to be implemented during the project’s lifespan. Besides outlining the main strategy, it establishes the methodological framework, the process, and sources for the identification of initiatives with which to build synergies upon. The deliverable also describes current progress with ongoing initiatives and synergies as part of Transnational collaborative activities in Task 12.2 to actively engage with expert repurposing community for the benefit of knowledge exchange and raising awareness of REMEDI4ALL platform development in this field.
D12.2 Report on the 1st Annual Conference
The inaugural REMEDi4ALL #iDR24 conference, titled “Bridging Boundaries: Innovating, Connecting & Reshaping Drug Repurposing”, united a global international and cross-disciplinary audience of over 230 attendees in March 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. With more than 50 speakers sharing insights and networking opportunities, the event provided a platform for experts to engage with key players in the drug repurposing ecosystem. A lively poster session showcased 28 posters, featuring both competitive and project-related entries. Attendees collectively rated their experience at 4.57 out of 5.00, reflecting the conference’s success in aligning with their expectations and interests. #iDR24
confirmed interest for a new series of conferences that brings together the global community with ambition to realise the potential of patient-centric drug repurposing.
REMEDi4ALL Partners & Associated partners
