MPN Research Foundation Policy of Independence from Corporate Influence

Historically, the MPN Research Foundation has relied on donations from MPN patients, families and friends to fund research grants. But with NIH and other sources reducing funding for medical research, it has become increasingly difficult to fund scientists on the leading edge of MPN research.

After careful deliberation and consultation with other foundations about best practices, we have elected to accept funding from the biotech and pharmaceutical industry to augment the funds we have available for research. However, we remain committed to product and company neutrality, as defined to the MPN Research Foundation Neutrality Policy below.

As we race to utilize every available tool in the fight to change the prognosis for MPN patients, it’s our hope that our relationships with companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry will enable us to further expand the research that is driving the development of new and effective treatments.

MPN Research Foundation Statement of Independence

The MPN Research Foundation exists to fund and promote research into the myeloproliferative neoplasms essential thrombocythemia, myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. We pride ourselves on historically being funded mostly through donations made by patients and individuals connected to patients. However, MPNRF also welcomes and accepts monetary and in-kind donations from companies including those in the biotech, pharmaceutical and related industries.

MPNRF and those in the biotech / pharmaceutical industry have a common goal of finding better ways to control MPNs. To that end, biotech / pharmaceutical companies sometimes provide funding to MPN RF. These funds may be restricted or unrestricted.

Restricted funds from industry have only been applied to the hosting of events, support for myMPN and for our outreach and education programs. There is no exchange of quid pro quo for these sponsorships and they do not have access to any data generated from these activities that is not part of the public domain. 

Unrestricted funds from all sources, including industry, go primarily to funding our research program, principally the MPN Challenge Grant program. Our first-class Scientific Advisory Board and other academic advisors independently evaluate research funding requests we receive and, independent of any input from any industry funders, the MPNRF board decides how to deploy the funds. 

Program Neutrality

The MPN Research Foundation makes no commitment or effort to promote or endorse specific companies or products in any way. We share information about all clinical trials or pending treatments regardless of whether companies are past or present sponsors. Our research grants, education materials and other programs are subject to review by our staff, academic scientific advisors and our Board of Directors only.  

Industry sponsors are not included in closed-door grant review sessions, and they are not part of the decision making bodies when it comes time to decide the future investment of the Foundation in any research program or outreach activity. 

Industry Advisory Board

MPNRF creates these strategic alliances with industry to create better outcomes for people with PV, ET and MF. Our goal is to fund and promote research in order to identify more and better treatment options for patients which means it is vital to communicate with all parts of the MPN community. To further this goal, the MPN Research Foundation invites all companies in the MPN space to participate in our Industry Advisory Board. For a fee all are welcome to join us at our annual scientific meeting, the MPN Roundtable.

Donors are acknowledged in the appropriate venue.

To ensure transparency, the Foundation publishes a list of all corporate donors on our website.