1. How does Q-FASTR identify which early-stage research projects have the greatest potential for commercialization, and what criteria are used to evaluate these projects for funding?
Q-FASTR prioritizes projects based on unmet medical need, increasing the likelihood that a promising therapeutic approach will attract venture capital investment and lead to new company creation, or be licensed to biotech or pharmaceutical companies. At the same time, we support projects tackling critical health challenges, such as infectious diseases or ultra-rare genetic disorders, even when traditional investors may be reluctant. The goal is that, if successful, these projects can later secure funding from alternative sources, including foundations or government programs.
A second key criterion is novelty, as innovative approaches have a greater chance of commercialization if successful. Given the early-stage nature and inherent risks of many proposals, not all will succeed—and that’s OK. Our role is to take calculated risks, particularly at the pilot stage, by investing in multiple small projects that leverage novel biology and have the potential to drive meaningful advancements in human health.
2. How does Q-FASTR ensure ongoing support and mentorship for funded projects to help them reach their commercialization and clinical development goals, beyond initial funding?
Q-FASTR provides high-level scientific project management led by PhD-level project managers with industry experience. Their role is to actively monitor project progress, quickly identify challenges, and guide strategic pivots when necessary.
Beyond project oversight, Q-FASTR advises investigators of successful projects on additional internal funding sources. Notably, two projects received $1 million Blavatnik Therapeutics Challenge Awards, and another received funding from Lab1636, an alliance between Harvard University and Deerfield Management designed to enable promising innovations to advance beyond their laboratory roots. Additionally, select projects have progressed with support from Q-FASTR’s discretionary fund and Translator program.
A core objective of Q-FASTR is to build a pipeline of projects attractive to follow-on funding. Translator plays a key role in accelerating promising research into later stages while addressing a major hurdle in translational science—irreproducible results, which often hinder the transition from academia to industry. By outsourcing experiments to contract research organizations, Translator not only advances projects but also ensures independent validation, improving reproducibility and ultimately enhancing long-term returns.
3. Can you explain the collaboration process between HMS Quad investigators and non-HMS Quad investigators, and how such collaborations can enhance the effectiveness and potential outcomes of funded projects?
Many of our most successful projects involve collaborations with other institutions, particularly with clinicians at our affiliated hospitals. These partnerships are invaluable, as clinicians bring firsthand insight into current unmet medical needs, facilitate access to patient samples, and, at later stages, provide critical input on clinical testing. By combining cutting-edge basic research with clinical expertise, we create a strong foundation for developing novel and innovative therapeutic approaches.
Q-FASTR Awardees
Established through gifts from Phill Gross, Q-FASTR aims to accelerate early-stage research that has the potential to lead to commercialization and, ultimately, improve people’s health. The initial gift was matched by gifts from the Warren Alpert Foundation and Barbara and Louis Perlmutter.