Who can participate?

Up to 6 teams can participate in the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge. From all applications received, a selection will be made of the teams that best fit the intended programme.

The Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge is open to teams that meet the following conditions:

1. The team consists of at least 3 and max. 4 persons, who are motivated to take the idea further, Preferably the researcher involved in the clinical study(s) for the new application is part of this team.
2. The teams should be prepared to pay a fee of € 2000 for participation by 3 persons (plus € 500 for 1 additional person).
3. On average, each team member must set aside at least 1 day per week during the 3-month period to develop the venture plan.
4. The team wants to bring to market a repurposed drug, based on a new application of an already existing drug, resulting from scientific research. It must fall within the scope described.
5. The team is willing to cooperate with communication from ZonMw and FAST.
6. Parties herewith take into account possibly sensitive/secret information: the emphasis in communication is on issues such as motivation to participate, why drug repurposing, what expected impact for the patient, etc.
7. If the idea involves setting up a company, this should be focused on countries within the EU, where there is a clear link to the Netherlands (e.g. through a NL founder) and the innovation should be available in the Netherlands.
8. If the application is made by a start-up, the start-up must not have been in existence for more than 5 years.
9. Participants are aware that the programme focuses on a business plan based on the principles of socially responsible licensing.

Selection for participation

Based on your application, it will be determined whether your application is suitable for the intended programme. For this purpose, the conditions as described on this page and under ‘Scope’ will be used.

If your application meets the conditions, you will be invited for a (digital) interview. During the interview, candidates will have the opportunity to present their plan. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to ask questions to further explain your application.

Based on your application and interview, it will be decided which teams will be invited to participate. This will be guided by the scope of the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge and the quality of the proposal and interview. During the interview, it may already turn out that a project does not fit within the scope of the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge. All teams that cannot participate will receive an email after the interview with the reason for rejection.

The selected teams will receive an invitation to participate in the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge.

The timeline for the procedure is as follows:

Application deadline: 20 May 2025, by 2pm
Selection interviews: 3 and 17 June 2025
Results on participation: no later than 20 June 2025

The Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge requires a minimum of 4 high-quality teams to participate. If after the assessment it appears that this number is not met, the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge will not proceed.

Please note: No correspondence can be entered into about the outcome.