FDA to dole out $750,000 in minor-use grants

Bethesda, Md.

-- FDA unveiled a grant program, totaling $750,000, to spur development of new animal drugs intended for minor species or minor uses in major species.

Congress appropriated the money in March, according to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The grant program was established by the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2004. Major species include horses, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens.

Following the most recent Congressional action, the MUMS grants are available for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.

The grant must be used to defray "the costs of qualified safety and effectiveness testing expenses incurred in connection with the development of designated new animal drugs."

Grants for total costs will be available up to $50,000 per year for up to two years for routine studies; and up to $100,000 per year for up to two years for studies of unusual complexity, duration or size. A third year of funding may be available for long-term toxicology studies, FDA reports.