San Diego, December 12, 2025
Curebound, a philanthropic organization in San Diego, has committed $8.5 million to support 23 cancer research projects, including a landmark $1 million Cure Prize. This funding demonstrates the city’s dedication to advancing oncology and fostering innovation within the healthcare sector. The grants emphasize a multifaceted approach, including Discovery Grants, Targeted Grants, and Equity Grants aimed at enhancing cancer care for underserved communities. Curebound’s continuous support plays a crucial role in enhancing local research capabilities and driving forward medical breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
San Diego, CA
Curebound Awards $8.5 Million in Cancer Research Grants
A new wave of support for cancer research has emerged in San Diego as Curebound, a philanthropic leader in the medical community, announces its latest round of funding totaling $8.5 million. This investment spans 23 innovative research projects including a landmark $1 million Cure Prize, aimed at developing groundbreaking solutions to combat cancer.
Amid the challenges faced by the healthcare industry, particularly in oncology, this significant funding highlights the perseverance and commitment within the San Diego ecosystem. The city, home to numerous biotech firms and cutting-edge research institutions, benefits immensely from initiatives like Curebound that fuel the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. The impact of local organizations supporting cancer research cannot be overstated, especially considering the potential for job creation and advancement in medical technology.
Grant Distribution Overview
The recent funding round features a multifaceted approach to support varying stages of cancer research:
- Discovery Grants: Ten research teams received one-time seed grants of $250,000 each for early-phase studies requiring interinstitutional collaboration.
- Targeted Grants: Eight research teams were awarded $500,000 each for projects closer to clinical stages, emphasizing translational application.
- Cure Prize: A prestigious $1 million grant was awarded to a collaboration between UC San Diego and UC Berkeley for developing an innovative AI framework aimed at the early detection of pancreatic cancer.
- Catalyst Grant: Illudent Therapeutics was granted $250,000 to pursue precision small-molecule targeting of cancers that lack effective nucleotide-excision repair mechanisms.
- Equity Grants: Three teams received $250,000 each to enhance cancer care for medically underrepresented and underserved communities, focusing on improving access, equitable outcomes, and overall healthcare equity.
How Grants are Selected
The rigorous evaluation process utilized by Curebound is a testament to the high standards of scientific inquiry and innovation. Grants are selected by Curebound’s Scientific Advisory Board, which includes over 100 scientific peer reviewers. These experts evaluate hundreds of applications, ensuring that only the most promising projects, which have strong scientific foundations and potential for rapid translation into life-saving treatments, receive funding.
About Curebound
Headquartered in San Diego, Curebound is dedicated to accelerating cancer cures by supporting innovative research through collaborative grants, corporate partnerships, and strategic investments. To date, the organization has awarded a total of $51.5 million for cancer research, financing 170 study grants that cover 23 types of pediatric and adult cancers. Notably, this funding effort has resulted in 30 expanded clinical trials impacting 1,864 patients and has attracted $161 million in follow-on funding for research teams associated with Curebound.
Conclusion
As Curebound continues to champion cancer research in San Diego, the impact of such initiatives extends beyond the realm of medical innovation. This investment in groundbreaking studies fosters an entrepreneurial culture that enhances community health and showcases San Diego’s role as a pivotal player in the global fight against cancer. Stakeholders within the community are encouraged to support local businesses and organizations that are paving the way for a healthier future.
FAQ
What is Curebound?
Curebound is a philanthropic organization dedicated to accelerating cancer cures by funding innovative research. Through collaborative grants, corporate partnerships, and strategic investments, Curebound supports better prevention, detection, and treatments for cancer.
How much funding has Curebound awarded to date?
To date, Curebound has funded $51.5 million in cancer research, awarding 170 study grants for 23 types of pediatric and adult cancers. This work has resulted in 30 expanded clinical trials reaching 1,864 patients and has spurred $161 million in follow-on funding for Curebound-supported investigators.
What types of grants did Curebound award in this funding round?
The funding comprises:
- Discovery Grants: 10 research teams received one-time seed grants of $250,000 each for early-phase studies requiring interinstitutional collaboration.
- Targeted Grants: 8 research teams were awarded $500,000 each for projects closer to clinical stages, emphasizing translational application.
- Cure Prize: A $1 million grant was awarded to a team from UC San Diego and UC Berkeley for developing an artificial intelligence framework for early detection of pancreatic cancer.
- Catalyst Grant: Illudent Therapeutics received a $250,000 grant for precision small-molecule targeting of cancers deficient in nucleotide-excision repair.
- Equity Grants: Three groups were awarded $250,000 each to advance cancer care in medically underrepresented and underserved communities, aiming to improve access, outcomes, and equity.
How were the grant recipients selected?
The grants were selected by Curebound’s Scientific Advisory Board, with over 100 scientific peer reviewers evaluating hundreds of applications to identify projects with strong scientific foundations and the potential for rapid translation into life-saving treatments.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Discovery Grants | 10 research teams received one-time seed grants of $250,000 each for early-phase studies requiring interinstitutional collaboration. |
| Targeted Grants | 8 research teams were awarded $500,000 each for projects closer to clinical stages, emphasizing translational application. |
| Cure Prize | A $1 million grant was awarded to a team from UC San Diego and UC Berkeley for developing an artificial intelligence framework for early detection of pancreatic cancer. |
| Catalyst Grant | Illudent Therapeutics received a $250,000 grant for precision small-molecule targeting of cancers deficient in nucleotide-excision repair. |
| Equity Grants | Three groups were awarded $250,000 each to advance cancer care in medically underrepresented and underserved communities, aiming to improve access, outcomes, and equity. |
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