Recently, the National Natural Science Foundation Private Enterprise Innovation Development Joint Fund (hereinafter referred to as the "Private Enterprise Joint Fund") has officially been launched. The project guidelines were simultaneously released, drawing widespread attention from the scientific research community. As the July 30th opening date for the project information system approaches, Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., one of the first pharmaceutical companies to join the fund, provided a detailed interpretation of a series of highly anticipated issues, including the fund's research direction, key projects supported, application essentials, timeline, and important considerations.Private Enterprise Joint Fund: Why Were Pharmaceutical Companies the First to Join?On June 30, Qilu Pharmaceutical and three other pharmaceutical enterprises signed an agreement with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), officially joining the Private Enterprise Joint Fund. This marks a crucial step for China’s private enterprises in deeply engaging in national basic research. Why were the first four enterprises to join from the pharmaceutical industry? Dou Xiankang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the NSFC, previously stated in a media interview that private enterprises in China's pharmaceutical sector have an extremely strong demand for technological innovation. The Private Enterprise Joint Fund chose the pharmaceutical industry as its starting point, aiming to address the real needs of pharmaceutical companies. By leveraging China's rapidly advancing technical capabilities and fundamental research standards, the initiative seeks to empower these enterprises and help foster some internationally competitive pharmaceutical companies.It is reported that the private enterprise joint fund is jointly funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and participating private enterprises. The enterprises propose the problems, and a joint expert group is established by both parties to determine the content of the project guidelines.From the published guidelines, the first batch of funded projects are all "proposed" by enterprises. After the guidelines are determined, outstanding researchers across China can compete to undertake relevant topics. "In the past, enterprises had demands but might not necessarily find the most suitable scientists to complete them, and scientists had great achievements, but they might not know what the enterprises' demands were," Dou Xiankang said. The private enterprise joint fund hopes to build a platform for smooth cooperation between the two parties.Dialogue with Qilu Pharmaceutical: Focusing on Which Frontiers?Reporters found that the topics supported by the published guidelines focus on the life health sector, covering cutting-edge research directions such as precision oncology treatment, metabolic diseases, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and novel drug delivery systems. These fully reflect the characteristics of "clinical demand orientation" and "technology innovation-driven," with a particular emphasis on the application of frontier technologies like AI-assisted molecular screening, dual-immunotherapy antibody combinations, and organ-on-a-chip in the healthcare field."The establishment of the Private Enterprises Joint Fund is an important measure by the state to promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and also a recognition of enterprises' innovative strength," said a relevant person in charge of Qilu Pharmaceutical. As a joint funding party, Qilu Pharmaceutical, together with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, has invested 99 million yuan, mainly focusing on fields such as immune dysfunction, abnormal cell proliferation, gene mutations and expression regulation abnormalities, metabolic disorders, and nervous system diseases, to support scientists in conducting basic research and applied basic research.The fund adopts a collaborative "industry poses questions, scientists solve problems" model to ensure that the research topics are both at the forefront of science and closely aligned with industrial development needs. According to reports, the formation of the project guidelines undergoes multiple rounds of rigorous论证. First, enterprises propose key industrial issues and refine them into scientific problems, while broadly soliciting major critical issues that need resolution based on developmental demands. Subsequently, the relevant scientific departments of the National Natural Science Foundation of China review and revise the annual projects, coordinate planning and layout, and avoid duplicate funding. Finally, after scientific论证 by expert panels, the guidelines are ensured to be scientific, standardized, inclusive, and secure."Research on the Effectiveness and Mechanism of Anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 Dual Immunotherapy Combination Antibody in Cervical Cancer Patients Resistant to PD-(L)1 Monoclonal Antibody" Supported by Qilu PharmaceuticalIt is reported that the 2025 Joint Fund for Innovative Development of Private Enterprises will provide funding in the form of key support projects, with a funding period of 4 years for each project and an average funding intensity of approximately 2.2 million yuan per project in direct costs.Project Application Guidelines: Key Points for Researchers to Focus OnFor researchers who intend to apply, Miao Jing, the contact person of the private enterprise joint fund Qilu Pharmaceutical, specially reminded that the applicants and supporting organizations should carefully read and implement the requirements in the project guidelines, the "2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guidelines" and the "Announcement on Matters Related to the 2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Application and Conclusion." They must strictly follow the 16 key supported projects published in the project guidelines of Qilu Pharmaceutical and act promptly.Log in to the National Natural Science Foundation of China Information System,The project adopts a paperless application process, and the applicantWrite the application online.It is worth noting that the applicant should have the experience of undertaking basic research projects or engaging in basic research, and possess a senior professional technical position (title). Postdoctoral researchers in the station, those currently pursuing a graduate degree, and individuals without an employer or whose employer is not a supporting institution are not eligible to apply as applicants.According to the 2025 Annual Schedule of the Private Enterprise Joint Fund,The application submission time is from July 30, 2025, to 16:00 on August 5, 2025.After the project submission, the National Natural Science Foundation of China organizes the completion of the correspondence review, followed by a joint working conference with internal and external members; based on the completion of the meeting review, the final list of funded projects is determined.With the announcement of the guidelines and the upcoming launch of the application,Qilu Pharmaceutical has opened a special consultation channel (Miao Jing 0531-55820179 / Li Xin 0531-55820709), providing targeted guidance to researchers. Qilu Pharmaceutical looks forward to in-depth communication with researchers across China, including strategic partners, jointly exploring innovative solutions, and collectively addressing the "bottleneck" challenges in the pharmaceutical field, so that more research innovations can benefit patients.Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Private Enterprise Joint Fund Key Support Project1. Research on the Pathological Mechanism and Candidate Drugs for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Application Code 1 selects the subordinate code of H01 or H34)Combine clinical data to explore the pathogenic mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis, identify and confirm related drug targets; develop targeted drugs by integrating small-molecule drug design or other drug modalities, and evaluate therapeutic efficacy and preliminary safety through in vivo and in vitro models to obtain at least one intellectual property-protected candidate molecule.2. Pathological Mechanisms and Candidate Drug Research for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H03 or H34)Combined with clinical data, explore the pathogenic mechanism of MASH, discover and confirm related drug targets; develop targeted drugs by integrating small molecule drug design or other drug modalities, and evaluate therapeutic effects and preliminary safety through in vivo and in vitro models to obtain at least one proprietary candidate molecule.3. Discovery of AI-Assisted Metabolic Disease-Related GPCR Bias Modulators (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H07 or H34)To address the challenge of screening GPCR-biased modulators for metabolic diseases, we conduct AI-assisted de novo design and virtual screening of GPCR-biased modulators. We establish a system based on AI-driven molecular generation, multi-dimensional drug-likeness evaluation, and molecular optimization. The therapeutic effects and preliminary safety are evaluated through in vivo and in vitro models to obtain at least one proprietary candidate molecule.4. Discovery of AI-Assisted Biased Modulators for GPCRs Related to Nervous System Diseases (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H09 or H34)To address the challenge of screening GPCR biased modulators for neurological disorders, conduct AI-assisted de novo design and virtual screening of GPCR biased modulators. Establish a system based on AI-driven molecular generation, multi-dimensional drug-likeness evaluation, and molecular optimization. Evaluate therapeutic efficacy and preliminary safety through in vitro and in vivo models to obtain at least one proprietary candidate molecule.5. Research on the Pathogenesis and Candidate Drugs for Refractory Pain (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H09 or H34)For intractable pain such as postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and trigeminal neuralgia, relevant drug targets were identified and confirmed based on clinical data. Targeted drugs were developed through small molecule drug design or other drug modalities, and their therapeutic efficacy and preliminary safety were evaluated using in vivo and in vitro models, resulting in at least one proprietary candidate molecule.6. Research on the Pathogenesis of Stroke and Candidate Drugs (Application Code 1 selects the subordinate code of H09 or H34)For stroke, relevant drug targets are discovered and confirmed based on clinical data; targeted drugs are developed through small molecule drug design or other drug modalities, and the therapeutic effects and preliminary safety are evaluated via in vivo and in vitro models, resulting in at least one proprietary candidate molecule.7. Research on the Pathogenesis of Depression and Candidate Drugs (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H10 or H34)To address the challenges of delayed drug efficacy and recurrent episodes in depression, we will explore the pathogenic mechanisms by integrating clinical and multi-omics data to discover new targets. By combining small molecule drug design or other drug modalities, we will develop fast-acting targeted drugs and evaluate their therapeutic effects and preliminary safety through in vivo and in vitro models, aiming to obtain at least one proprietary candidate molecule.8. Research and Application of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Drug Resistance Mechanisms Based on Organoid Models (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H18 or H34)To address the high heterogeneity and drug resistance issues of liver cancer, establish organoids derived from no fewer than 50 liver cancer patients. Screen more than 20 membrane-expressed tumor-associated proteins through spatial omics and molecular visualization techniques to reveal their spatiotemporal heterogeneity and variation patterns. In conjunction with the established organoid models, analyze the drug resistance characteristics and molecular mechanisms of common therapeutic drugs and ADC toxins, and identify 2-3 candidate therapeutic targets or combinations.9. Discovery and Application of New Targets Based on Spatial Omics Research in Refractory Lung Cancer Cohorts (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H18 or H34)To address the challenge of treatment resistance in small cell lung cancer, establish a refractory lung cancer cohort with spatial omics data comprising no fewer than 50 cases, and develop at least 20 organoid or PDX models. Identify a minimum of three tumor-associated membrane protein targets, investigate their spatiotemporal heterogeneity patterns and regulatory mechanisms, and design at least one proprietary antibody or ADC candidate molecule. Evaluate its anti-tumor efficacy and safety using in vivo and in vitro models.10. Discovery and Application of New Targets Based on Spatial Omics Research in Refractory Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cohorts (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H18 or H34)To address the challenge of refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after drug resistance, establish a cohort of no fewer than 50 cases of refractory HNSCC with spatial omics data, and at least 20 organoid or PDX models. Identify at least three tumor-associated membrane protein targets, investigate their spatiotemporal heterogeneity patterns and regulatory mechanisms, design at least one proprietary antibody or ADC candidate molecule, and evaluate its anti-tumor efficacy and safety using in vivo and in vitro models.11. Discovery and Application of New Targets Based on Spatial Omics Research in Refractory Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cohorts (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H18 or H34)To address the challenge of treatment resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), establish a cohort of no fewer than 50 TNBC cases with spatial omics data and at least 20 organoid or PDX models. Identify at least three tumor-associated membrane protein targets, investigate their spatiotemporal heterogeneity patterns and regulatory mechanisms, and design at least one proprietary antibody or ADC candidate molecule. Evaluate its anti-tumor efficacy and safety using in vivo and in vitro models.12. Discovery and Application of New Targets Based on a Biobank of Drug-Resistant Colorectal Cancer (Application Code 1 selects subordinate codes of H18 or H34)Establish a biobank of no fewer than 100 cases of conventional treatment-resistant or postoperative recurrent samples and at least 50 patient-derived organoids or xenograft models. Utilize multi-omics technologies such as spatial transcriptomics to identify at least three tumor-associated drug resistance targets and analyze their intratumoral heterogeneity characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution patterns. Design small molecules or other drug modalities and obtain at least one proprietary candidate molecule.13. Study on the Efficacy and Mechanism of Anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 Dual Immunotherapy Combination Antibodies in Cervical Cancer Patients Resistant to PD-(L)1 Monoclonal Antibodies (Application Code 1 selects the subordinate code of H18)To address the issue of PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibody resistance in cervical cancer, establish a patient cohort of no fewer than 50 cases to evaluate the efficacy of anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 dual immunotherapy combination antibodies in this population. By constructing a high-quality biobank and employing multi-omics integrated analysis and functional validation research methods, identify the core molecular characteristics and key regulatory mechanisms for the effective application of dual immunotherapy combination antibodies in PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibody-resistant populations.14. Research on the Effects and Mechanisms of Novel Oral Delivery Systems for Protein Polypeptide Drugs (Application Code 1 selects the subordinate code of H34)To address the challenge of low oral absorption bioavailability of protein and polypeptide drugs, design new carriers and delivery systems that significantly enhance their oral absorption efficiency. Investigate the structure-activity relationship between the composition of the drug-loaded system and the transmembrane absorption efficiency in the digestive tract, as well as the influencing factors, to obtain at least one orally deliverable system for protein and polypeptide drugs with transformation potential.15. Research on Novel Delivery Technologies for Small Nucleic Acid Drugs Targeting Extrhepatic Organs (Application Code 1 selects the subordinate code of H34)To address the technical barriers of small nucleic acid delivery targeting extrhepatic tissues, develop safe and efficient novel extrhepatic delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of small nucleic acids. Focus on the development and validation of delivery carriers for tissues such as the lungs and kidneys, and establish proprietary delivery technologies with independent intellectual property rights.16. Research and Application of Novel ADC Drugs for Non-Cancer Indications (Application Code 1 selects the subordinate code of B07)For major chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, design and explore new mechanisms for targeted delivery of novel ADC drugs, study payload molecule design and screening, develop microenvironment-responsive linker technologies, and obtain at least one candidate ADC drug with intellectual property rights.First Trial | Huang Jia
Second Review | Li Fangchen
Third Review | Li Jingzhi
