Best practices for venture philanthropy collaborations between disease-focused foundations and for-profit life science companies by Joanne Chang.

Abstract

The history of private philanthropy in the US has been dominated by family foundations with arms-length philanthropy practices that largely existed in separation from commercial enterprise and business operations. This paper looks at emerging organizational and funding models being used in a wide range of disease areas in which philanthropy has shifted towards a more "venture-oriented" model sometimes referred to as disease foundation venture philanthropy (DFVP) as practiced by disease focused foundations (DFFs). More specifically, this research seeks to understand how these models map onto the range of translational challenges confronted by those engaged in bringing ideas from the bench to the bedside and it explores our current understanding of DFVP best practices. It concludes by raising questions and addressing issues designed to assist those who seek to setup successful collaborations between DFFs and industry partners.