Mission

The Academic Drug Discovery Consortium works across drug discovery screening centers operating within academic research institutes. Its goals are to establish an interactive network of academic drug discovery scientists and centers; exchange and provide access to expertise related to drug discovery programs, technologies, faculty engagement, industry partnerships, and contractual arrangements; create a central repository of drug discovery centers, partnerships, job opportunities, and events as a resource for the centers; provide educational materials related to the drug discovery process and the operations of an academic drug discovery center; provide a platform for partnering and collaboration between consortium members and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, contract research organizations, and other service providers; and represent the interests of academic drug discovery centers to government.

Consortium History

In 2011, the John Hopkins Brain Science Institute hosted a roundtable called “The New Paradigm for Drug Discovery” to discuss the current landscape for drug discovery. Participants discussed the rapid emergence of academic drug discovery centers within John Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Harvard University, and University of California, San Francisco, and agreed that there is a need for a consortium to coordinate and share their best practices. In 2012, the consortium reached a total membership of 83 academic drug discovery centers, with its first public meeting in 2013. In 2014, the consortium established a screening partnership with AstraZeneca, which provided an exclusive opportunity for consortium members to access a structure-blinded AstraZeneca compound library free-of-charge, upon approval of the investigator’s proposed work. As of 2014, a total of 115 centers have joined the consortium’s membership, representing academic drug discovery centers operating in 49 states and 9 countries.

Structure & Governance

The Board of Directors consists of leaders from the drug discovery centers that founded the consortium. This includes John Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, University of California, San Francisco, Harvard University, and University of Toronto. The consortium also has a dedicated staff based at John Hopkins University, with a focus on scientific and business development, as well as communications.

Financing

There are no costs associated with individual membership. A majority of the consortium’s financial support comes from sponsor and advertising opportunities, particularly as the consortium website continues to be a central resource for the member community. 

Intellectual Property

There are no intellectual property concerns.

Patient Engagement

Many of the member organizations collaborate with patient philanthropic organizations.

Data Sharing

Data are primarily shared as educational materials through the website and conferences.

Impact/Accomplishment

The central point of the consortium is its website, which shares training materials and best practices for drug discovery, as well as provides guidance for universities interested in establishing/optimizing a drug discovery center. In 2014, the consortium established an exclusive partnership with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, offering an opportunity for its members to apply for access to one of the company’s compound libraries. As of 2014, a total of 115 centers have joined the consortium’s membership, representing academic drug discovery centers operating in 49 states and 9 countries.

Links/Social Media Feed

Points of Contact

Aditya Polsani
Director, Business Development
Academic Drug Discovery Consortium
Johns Hopkins University
phone: 410-599-3071
email: aditya@addconsortium.org

Barbara Slusher
Director, Academic Drug Discovery Consortium
Director, BSi NeuroTranslational Drug Discovery Program
Associate Professor, Neurology and Psychiatry
phone: 410-614-0662
email: bslusher@jhmi.edu

Sponsors & Partners