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§ Non Profit · Washington, DC, USA
Venture philanthropy nonprofit funding translational research for brain cancer, focused on new therapies.
Key people at Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.
Based in Washington, D.C., Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure is a venture philanthropy nonprofit that funds translational neuro-oncology research to bridge the gap between academic discoveries and clinical therapies. Operating through a financial model that mitigates early-stage development risks, the organization has directed over $20 million in grant funding to support more than 100 specific research projects across 54 institutions. The nonprofit has collaborated with major pharmaceutical and advocacy entities, including Genentech and the National Brain Tumor Society, to advance treatments for glioblastoma and other brain tumors. In 2019, the organization officially integrated its programs and operations into the National Brain Tumor Society to consolidate broader scientific research and fundraising efforts. Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure was founded in 2001 by former JPMorgan H&Q CEO Dan Case, AOL co-founder Steve Case, Diane Case, and Jean Case.
Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC²) is a nonprofit organization founded to accelerate brain cancer research and treatments, applying an entrepreneurial model to fund translational research that bridges academic discoveries and clinical applications.[1][2] It has awarded over $20 million in grants since 2001, supporting more than 100 projects across 36 institutions, leading to a dozen new therapies entering clinical trials, including the 2009 FDA approval of Avastin for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).[1][2] ABC² focuses on high-impact areas like molecularly targeted therapies, viral therapies, vaccines, and personalized medicine, partnering with researchers, biotech firms, and pharma companies to "buy down risk" and speed drug development for brain tumors, which receive limited commercial investment due to their rarity.[1][2][4]
The organization serves brain cancer patients by funding novel research, providing patient resources on clinical trials and care, and fostering collaborations like the Preclinical Screening Program with Duke University and the ABC² Clinical Network of neuro-oncology centers.[3][4] Its growth includes consistent grant-making—e.g., 10 awards in 2019 totaling $2.5 million—and leveraging partnerships to multiply funding impact.[6]
ABC² was founded in 2001 by Dan Case, who was diagnosed with brain cancer that year, alongside his wife Stacey Case, brother Steve Case (AOL co-founder), and Steve's wife Jean Case.[1][2] Motivated by limited treatment options and scarce R&D investment in brain cancer, the Cases turned personal tragedy into action, creating a nonprofit to partner entrepreneurs, scientists, and researchers in accelerating cures.[2] Dan's finance background informed the "angel investor" approach, funding high-risk, high-reward translational research to de-risk it for industry adoption.[2][4]
Early traction came from strategic grants and collaborations, such as with Genentech leading to Avastin's approval—the first new brain tumor drug in over a decade—and establishing pre-competitive screening initiatives.[1] By 2015-2016, ABC² had funded dozens of projects, emphasizing metrics of impact, leadership, and leverage, with Max Wallace as CEO driving goals like personalized medicine deployment.[1]
ABC² stands out in brain cancer research through its venture-capital-inspired model:
ABC² rides the wave of personalized medicine and biotech innovation, applying tech-sector entrepreneurial tactics—like rapid iteration and risk-sharing—to underserved brain cancer R&D, where market forces (low incidence, high failure risk) deter pharma investment.[1][2] Timing aligns with advances in molecular profiling, viral therapies, and AI-driven drug screening, filling gaps in translational research amid rising biomarker testing and clinical trial awareness (e.g., NBTS campaigns).[1][7]
It influences the ecosystem by fostering pre-competitive models, de-risking therapies for industry (e.g., Genentech partnership), and enabling academia-industry handoffs, ultimately speeding patient access to treatments in a field stagnant for decades.[1][2] As a 20+ year player, ABC² has shaped brain tumor funding norms, partnering with 36 institutions and leveraging events like AACR programs.[3][7]
ABC²'s influence will likely grow with biotech's shift toward precision oncology, emphasizing AI-enhanced profiling and multi-modal therapies to tackle brain cancer's heterogeneity.[1] Next steps include scaling networks for broader personalized treatment deployment and expanding grants amid post-2019 funding continuity, potentially partnering with emerging gene-editing or immunotherapy players.[1][6] As brain tumor incidence rises with aging populations, ABC²'s model positions it to catalyze cures, evolving from family-driven startup to ecosystem linchpin—proving entrepreneurial grit can outpace traditional research in high-stakes fields like this.[1][2]
Key people at Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.