The RE(ACT) Discovery Institute aims to fill the gap between the public-funded basic science research and the industrial supported applied R&D, allowing the scientific community to move their research from the bench to the bedside.

The RE(ACT) Discovery Institute is an institute for therapeutics discovery in rare and orphan diseases. It aims to fill the gap between public-funded basic science research and commercially supported applied research and development, allowing the scientific community to move their research from the bench to the bedside

About us

The RE(ACT) Discovery Institute is a unique not-for-profit environment that supports innovative and highly competent research into therapeutics for rare diseases. The RE(ACT) Discovery Institute is an accelerator for research in therapeutic development, enabling academic laboratories with cutting-edge modern technologies to discover and develop potential treatments and diagnostic tools for rare diseases.

Thus the objective of the RE(ACT) Discovery Institute is to foster the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for rare diseases. The rationale is to capitalize on the available structures for drug discovery and translate the potential of the basic science performed by academic researchers and small start-up companies into treatments for patients by participating in and collaborating with clinical centers up to Phases II and III of clinical trials.

The RE(ACT) Discovery Institute aims to discover, collect and internalize ongoing or abandoned research programs and continue their development. The RE(ACT) Discovery Institute is acting as a "bridge" between a project of a research group at the "discovery" stage and the final clinical development.

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What we do

Advisors

We act as advisors to academic research groups and, if needed, supports outsourced projects for drug discovery that are not available in the academic communities.

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Facilitators

We facilitate subcontracting preclinical and early-stage clinical research to partners offering specific services and identifying hospitals and research centers for early-stage clinical trials.

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Education

In close collaboration with academia, we provide a comprehensive, wide-ranging training program (CAS/DAS/MAS), adapted to the scientific community's needs.

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Governance

The RE(ACT) Discovery Institute is the therapeutic discovery arm of the no-profit BLACKSWAN Foundation. The Foundation incorporated the RE(ACT) Discovery Institute company (LLC), a not-for-profit company, and is the only shareholder. The relationship between the BLACKSWAN Foundation and the RE(ACT) Discovery Institute is based on three interrelated pillars: funding, governance, and independence

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Featured projects

Repurposing drug in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact. DMD is one of four conditions known as dystrophinopathies. In Europe and North America, the prevalence of DMD is approximately 6 per 100,000 individuals.

Status: Phase III ended - Seeking an industrial partner for approval/commercialization.

90%
Alport syndrome

Alport syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye abnormalities. Alport syndrome is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 5,000-10,000 people in the general population.

Status: GMP and preclinical toxicology testing

60%
Kiwi

Preclinical molecule development.

Status: target identified

20%

Advisory boards

The advisory board

The Advisory Board acts as a consultative body, providing recommendations. Its main tasks include monitoring all the RE(ACT) Discovery Institute services and projects and core platform resources and facilitating philanthropic support and venture investments.

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The patient advisory board

The Patient Advisory Board advises the RE(ACT) Discovery Institute on specific research projects and outreach to patient and physician groups and the general public.

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The industrial advisory board

Contributes to discussions on development plans for the RE(ACT) Discovery Institute, including the portfolio of research programs, research themes and activities, and marketing and communications.

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