An open call to innovators: How can your ingenuity support the GVHD community?

(BPT) - When we hear that someone has had a stem cell transplant, we imagine the great potential and possibilities for recovery occurring behind hospital walls. We don’t, however, imagine them walking out from the stem cell transplant with the potential for developing a serious complication, that may include a long, winding road full of questions—the first being: what is graft-versus-host disease?

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a rare condition that can occur after the transfer of stem cells from a donor to a patient. These donated cells initiate an immune response that attacks the transplant recipient’s organs, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. GVHD can be expressed in chronic and acute forms, both capable of affecting multiple organ systems including the skin, gastrointestinal (digestive) tract, and liver. These patients often experience a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from excessive fatigue, emotional distress, and other chronic symptoms that may impact daily life.

Sourcing input from the community: The Incyte Ingenuity Award Program

Recognizing the challenges those affected by GVHD face, Incyte created the Incyte Ingenuity Award program. This program aims to support the US GVHD community by funding novel initiatives that address these challenges and improve the lives of patients and support caregivers.

Now in its second year, Incyte has reopened and expanded the award program to include two novel initiatives—one awarding up to $35,000, and another up to $100,000 a year. Winning projects will successfully address challenges faced by and nurture partnership within the GVHD community.

Initiatives for both awards must be completed within one year and meaningfully address the needs of the patients and caregivers within the GVHD community. Ingenuity being its namesake, applicants are charged with developing creative, collaborative, and original solutions to problems this community faces—whether that be on a daily basis or on a larger, fundamental scale.

Answer the call: Lend your team’s talents to the GVHD community

Submissions are welcome from US non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, and patient, policy and caregiver organizations, or healthcare providers and mid-level/junior faculty from healthcare organizations who apply on behalf of their organization. Individuals and leading-edge companies are encouraged to apply, but must partner with a non-profit or healthcare facility (such as: hospitals, academic research centers, etc.) to be eligible.

Visit www.IncyteIngenuityAwards.com to review the eligibility criteria and apply. The application window is now open, and will close June 30, 2021. Accept the challenge and apply now!

Sponsored by Incyte Corporation. MAT-INC-11071 01/21