Lupus Therapeutics, the clinical affiliate of the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), has announced a groundbreaking funding initiative aimed at exploring the role of diet in the management of lupus. The IDEAL (Investigate Dietary Approaches for Lupus) Initiative seeks to fund pilot clinical studies that assess how dietary interventions can enhance the quality of life for those living with lupus, addressing a significant gap in well-controlled research in this area.
The relationship between diet, the microbiome, and lupus progression has garnered increasing attention from both researchers and patients. While studies in other therapeutic fields have yielded promising results regarding diet and microbiome interactions, research specifically focused on lupus has predominantly been preliminary or preclinical. Over the past decade, the LRA has been at the forefront of funding research into the microbiome’s role in lupus, facilitating key discussions to advance understanding and application of this research for patients.
The IDEAL Initiative is designed to answer pressing questions from researchers, clinicians, and patients about how dietary choices and microbiome health influence lupus management and disease progression. Stacie Bell, Executive Vice President of Lupus Therapeutics, expressed optimism that a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary research approach will yield significant findings that could inform broader care strategies to enhance patient outcomes.
“The IDEAL Initiative is a direct response to the research community’s call for clinical studies in an emerging area of unmet need,” said Teodora Staeva, PhD, Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at the LRA. “The LRA continues to champion innovative funding mechanisms that address critical gaps in lupus research, and this initiative is one of several new funding opportunities aimed at developing novel care approaches for individuals with lupus.”
The IDEAL Initiative will provide up to $500,000 over two years to support scientifically rigorous, well-controlled pilot studies. The initiative aims to fund up to two projects, with a focus on clinical outcomes or scientific mechanisms rather than merely providing dietary guidelines. Proposals must adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, potentially involving multiple institutions, and prioritize the inclusion of patients as research partners.
The application process for the IDEAL Initiative will occur in two stages:
January 8, 2025, 11:59 PM ET: Letters of Intent (LOIs) are due. These three-page submissions will be evaluated based on their innovation, significance, and alignment with the IDEAL funding objectives.
March 28, 2025, 11:59 PM ET: Full applications are due from applicants whose LOIs are accepted in the initial review stage.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in lupus research, with the potential to uncover new dietary strategies that could improve care and the daily experiences of those affected by this complex autoimmune disease.
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