ARPA-H Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue (FRONT)   2

Background
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is launching the Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue (FRONT) Program aimed at addressing the significant health challenges posed by permanent brain damage due to stroke, trauma, neurodegeneration, and tumors.

The mission of ARPA-H is to accelerate better health outcomes by advancing innovative research that tackles society's most pressing health issues. The FRONT program seeks to develop groundbreaking solutions that can restore the structure and function of the adult neocortex, potentially benefiting millions of Americans living with disabilities caused by brain damage.

Work Details
The FRONT program aims to eliminate permanent deficits caused by brain damage through regenerative grafts that can restore neocortical structure and function. Proposals must focus on developing a first-in-class neocortical precursor tissue that emulates early human neocortical tissue.

Key tasks include:
1) Generating GMP human iPSC master banks;
2) Producing all human precursor cell types with >99% lineage relevance;
3) Identifying extracellular components and developing biogels for vascularization;
4) Conducting in vivo safety studies;
5) Demonstrating engraftment efficiency in preclinical models;
6) Completing behavioral studies to show graft-derived tissue can encode useful information for its host. Proposals must also include plans addressing ethical, legal, and social implications, commercialization strategies, and regulatory frameworks.

Period of Performance
The program is structured over a five-year period consisting of three phases: Phase 1 (24 months), Phase 2 (24 months), and Phase 3 (12 months).

Place of Performance
The contract work will be performed in Arlington, VA, with potential for hybrid participation.