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Mark Foundation Announces Major Drug Discovery Awards for Cancer Research

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research has made a significant announcement this March, unveiling the recipients of the 2026 Drug Discovery Awards. This initiative aims to close the critical gap between initial academic research and real-world clinical applications in the fight against cancer. Each of the four chosen research teams will receive $1 million in funding, along with extensive mentorship and support from an international network of advisors.

The Vision Behind the Drug Discovery Awards

As highlighted by Ryan Schoenfeld, PhD, CEO of The Mark Foundation, the journey from a promising research target to an effective cancer treatment requires more than just financial backing. The foundation seeks to empower researchers to transform scientific discoveries into viable therapies. This means offering not just funding, but also access to seasoned advisors, as well as guidance on navigating partnerships with contract research organizations.

This multifaceted support is crucial as it enables academic teams to pursue innovative drugs with the same rigor expected of commercial projects in the biotech industry. Such an approach responds to the often stark challenges faced during the transition from basic research to clinical trials, a stage where critical hiccups can derail promising leads.

Bridging Research Gaps

Traditional academic funding frequently falls short when it comes to supporting the pivotal stage between validating a research target and launching clinical trials. By awarding these grants, The Mark Foundation empowers selected researchers to systematically develop drug candidates faster and with greater confidence. The unique structure of these awards ensures that scientists are not just recipients of funds but are genuinely partnered with The Mark Foundation during crucial decision-making phases of their projects.

Wendy Young, PhD, a member of the foundation’s Industry Advisory Committee, emphasized the initiative's goal: to imbue academic research with the methodologies and rigors typically found in biotech and pharmaceutical companies. “We aim not only to fund their projects but to collaborate and provide strategic insights that enable these researchers to navigate to their next milestone effectively,” she stated.

A New Funding Model

This innovative funding model stands apart from traditional programs, which are often bogged down by bureaucratic hurdles. The Mark Foundation offers a more agile framework that allows researchers to work with minimal restrictions on intellectual property while adhering to industry standards. This flexibility is especially important for projects seeking future investment from venture capital or biopharma firms.

The rigorous selection process for these awards includes evaluation by a committee of experts in small-molecule and biologics fields, focusing on clinical viability. Rather than avoiding high-risk proposals, The Mark Foundation embraces these challenges, aiming to foster robust ideas across various cancer types.

The Award Recipients

The foundation has proudly announced the winners of the 2026 Drug Discovery Awards, showcasing projects that promise to redefine cancer treatments:

1. Targeting Gq/11 Proteins in Uveal Melanoma
A team led by Aashish Manglik, MD, PhD, Michelle Arkin, PhD, and Boris Bastian, MD, PhD from the University of California, San Francisco, aims to develop therapies that directly target the genetic drivers of uveal melanoma — a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer.

2. TRIM21 E3 Ligase Reprogramming for Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers Steven Corsello, MD, and Nathanael Gray, PhD from Stanford University are working on novel treatments designed to selectively eliminate problematic proteins in pancreatic cancer cells.

3. Engineered Antibodies for Targeting Cancer
William Sellers, MD, and Alex Burgin, PhD at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard are creating precision antibodies intended to slow cancer advancement and deliver treatment directly to difficult solid tumors.

4. Targeted Degradation of Cancer Drivers
Eric Fischer, PhD, and Scott Armstrong, MD, PhD, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are targeting proteins that contribute to leukemia and lung cancer, aiming to develop more efficient treatments by correcting faulty gene expressions.

For further details about the Drug Discovery Award program and the groundbreaking work of the 2026 recipients, visit The Mark Foundation.

About The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research is a New York City-based charitable organization that collaborates with scientists globally to expedite transformative research in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. They have committed over $300 million in grants to researchers since 2017 and are focused on innovative therapies and technologies that will radically improve outcomes for cancer patients. To learn more, please visit their website at www.themarkfoundation.org.