New Collaboration Between Lung Cancer Research Foundation and Boehringer Ingelheim to Fund HER2 Research
On June 17, 2025, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) announced an exciting collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. This partnership marks a significant stride in lung cancer research, particularly focusing on HER2 mutations, which are present in approximately 4% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. This collaboration involves a dedicated funding initiative designed to enhance our understanding and treatment options for this difficult-to-treat mutation.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration
The new funding mechanism includes two awards: the LCRF|Boehringer Ingelheim Team Science Award and the Early Career Investigator Award. The Team Science Award is valued at $1.5 million over three years, aimed at fostering integrated research proposals that explore innovative approaches to HER2-driven malignancies. Meanwhile, the Early Career Investigator Award will provide $750,000 split across up to three projects to support emerging researchers tackling HER2 mutations.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with more than 130,180 deaths annually in the United States. Over the last decade, advancements in molecular profiling have allowed for accelerated clinical trials and FDA approvals for targeted therapies. HER2, along with EGFR and other mutations, plays a critical role in the oncogenic features of lung cancers. However, despite earlier promise, traditional therapies targeting HER2 have not yielded the hoped-for results, leading researchers to believe that a deeper understanding of the biology behind these mutations is crucial.
Scientific Backdrop
The FDA granted accelerated approval for trastuzumab deruxtecan in August 2022, providing hope for patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors demonstrate activating HER2 mutations. This step forward offers a glimpse of the potential within the landscape of targeted therapies. Furthermore, new orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitors have recently shown promise in treating HER2 mutant lung cancers, indicating that research into these therapies is critical for improving patient outcomes.
Boehringer Ingelheim's passion for advancing oncology research aligns with LCRF's commitment to funding innovative research. According to Bjoern Rueter, U.S. Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim, collaborative efforts in science are essential for fostering advancements and unlocking new avenues for treatment. Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, chief scientific officer at LCRF, echoed this sentiment, stating that partnerships like this could accelerate scientific discovery and benefit patients living with lung cancer.
That said, addressing HER2 mutations not only highlights the importance of innovative research but also underscores the potential for collaborative efforts to make a demonstrable impact in treatment options for lung cancer patients. As researchers and institutions come together to explore new frontiers, the implications of these funding opportunities could lead to breakthroughs in therapy and patient care.
Future Directions
Interested researchers can submit their proposals to the Request for Proposals (RFP), with Letters of Intent due by July 29, 2025. Selected applicants will progress to the next round involving full proposal submission, subject to rigorous evaluation by LCRF's Scientific Advisory Board. This structured approach ensures that only the most promising and viable research projects are pursued, aligning with LCRF’s mission to enhance outcomes for those affected by lung cancer. More information regarding the RFP, including eligibility and requirements, is available on LCRF's official website.
In summary, the collaboration between LCRF and Boehringer Ingelheim not only brings much-needed attention to HER2 mutations in lung cancer but also shows a willingness to invest in innovative solutions that could change the future of treatment for many patients. Through teamwork and commitment to scientific inquiry, these organizations pave the way for progress in cancer research, providing hope for a brighter future for individuals battling lung cancer.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration
The new funding mechanism includes two awards: the LCRF|Boehringer Ingelheim Team Science Award and the Early Career Investigator Award. The Team Science Award is valued at $1.5 million over three years, aimed at fostering integrated research proposals that explore innovative approaches to HER2-driven malignancies. Meanwhile, the Early Career Investigator Award will provide $750,000 split across up to three projects to support emerging researchers tackling HER2 mutations.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with more than 130,180 deaths annually in the United States. Over the last decade, advancements in molecular profiling have allowed for accelerated clinical trials and FDA approvals for targeted therapies. HER2, along with EGFR and other mutations, plays a critical role in the oncogenic features of lung cancers. However, despite earlier promise, traditional therapies targeting HER2 have not yielded the hoped-for results, leading researchers to believe that a deeper understanding of the biology behind these mutations is crucial.
Scientific Backdrop
The FDA granted accelerated approval for trastuzumab deruxtecan in August 2022, providing hope for patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors demonstrate activating HER2 mutations. This step forward offers a glimpse of the potential within the landscape of targeted therapies. Furthermore, new orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitors have recently shown promise in treating HER2 mutant lung cancers, indicating that research into these therapies is critical for improving patient outcomes.
Boehringer Ingelheim's passion for advancing oncology research aligns with LCRF's commitment to funding innovative research. According to Bjoern Rueter, U.S. Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim, collaborative efforts in science are essential for fostering advancements and unlocking new avenues for treatment. Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, chief scientific officer at LCRF, echoed this sentiment, stating that partnerships like this could accelerate scientific discovery and benefit patients living with lung cancer.
That said, addressing HER2 mutations not only highlights the importance of innovative research but also underscores the potential for collaborative efforts to make a demonstrable impact in treatment options for lung cancer patients. As researchers and institutions come together to explore new frontiers, the implications of these funding opportunities could lead to breakthroughs in therapy and patient care.
Future Directions
Interested researchers can submit their proposals to the Request for Proposals (RFP), with Letters of Intent due by July 29, 2025. Selected applicants will progress to the next round involving full proposal submission, subject to rigorous evaluation by LCRF's Scientific Advisory Board. This structured approach ensures that only the most promising and viable research projects are pursued, aligning with LCRF’s mission to enhance outcomes for those affected by lung cancer. More information regarding the RFP, including eligibility and requirements, is available on LCRF's official website.
In summary, the collaboration between LCRF and Boehringer Ingelheim not only brings much-needed attention to HER2 mutations in lung cancer but also shows a willingness to invest in innovative solutions that could change the future of treatment for many patients. Through teamwork and commitment to scientific inquiry, these organizations pave the way for progress in cancer research, providing hope for a brighter future for individuals battling lung cancer.
Topics Health）
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