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MDA Venture Philanthropy or “MVP” is a nonprofit subsidiary of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, solely devoted to funding the development and commercialization of new treatments for neuromuscular diseases. It’s a response to fundamental changes in the not-for-profit landscape and is focused on accelerating drug development while delivering upon high expectations of donors.
Adapting elements of the venture capital model and backed with an initial contribution by MDA of up to $10 million, the MVP business plan is characterized by an emphasis on measurable results along with deep involvement by its donor and industry partners. MVP will evaluate and make targeted investments in for-profit companies developing therapeutics for neuromuscular diseases, with a particular emphasis on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. Any returns on those investments will be rolled back into the disease-specific portfolio from which they were derived.
MVP is led by a Board of Directors that is composed of individuals with extensive business backgrounds; some also have family members affected by a disease in MDA’s program. MVP will also rely upon a voluntary Business Advisory Board and Scientific Development Board, along with premier contractors for legal and financial diligence.
Building upon MDA’s over $1 billion investment in research and health care, MVP will also benefit from the experience gained in the last four years funding industry projects through the MDA Translational Research Program. MVP is designed to complement MDA’s ongoing programs of health care, lifesaving services, advocacy, basic and clinical research, and professional and public health education.
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