Target ALS Foundation
Target ALS Foundation is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates an ALS research Innovation Ecosystem combining competitive grant funding, six open-access Research Cores, the Target ALS Data Engine, and the multi-site ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI) to accelerate drug discovery for people with ALS.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Target ALS Foundation does
Target ALS Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit medical research foundation founded in 2013 by Dan Doctoroff and headquartered in New York City. The organization addresses systemic barriers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research through a three-pillar "Innovation Ecosystem" model: (1) Fund — competitive grant programs supporting collaborative consortia, individual investigators, Springboard Fellowships, and in vivo target validation; (2) Enable — six open-access Research Cores (Genomics, Longitudinal Biofluids, Human Postmortem Tissue, Stem Cell, Reagents, and Animal Models) and the Target ALS Data Engine, a multi-omic data platform built with DNAstack and Verily Workbench; and (3) Conduct — the ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI), comprising the Global Natural History Study and Community-Based Pop-Up Clinics across 15 active global sites.
To date, Target ALS has invested more than $80 million across 750+ research grants; 58% of funded consortia have advanced to drug discovery programs and 13 clinical trials have emerged. The Data Engine hosts the largest collection of PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing data for ALS alongside short-read whole genomes, RNA sequencing, and biofluid proteomics (CSF and plasma), with no IP restrictions on access. Strategic technology partners include DNAstack, Verily, PacBio, New York Genome Center, Psomagen, Biospective, and the Jackson Laboratory; co-funders include Gates Ventures, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, and The ALS Association. The annual meeting convenes 960+ attendees from academia, pharma, biotech, and nonprofits.
The organization is funded entirely through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors, with 100% of contributions directed to research programs. Beneficiaries include people with ALS and their families (especially underrepresented populations, with 36% non-Caucasian enrollment in AGRI versus ~5% historically), academic researchers, and biotech/pharma drug developers — the latter representing more than 100 companies actively pursuing ALS assets. The organization is governed by a board that added actor Eric Dane in December 2025. Operations are lean at 1–10 employees, with scientific execution distributed through partner CROs, academic cores, and the NINDS repository.
Target ALS Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Target ALS Foundation
- Legal name
- Target ALS Foundation, Inc.
- Website
- https://targetals.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Target ALS Foundation is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates an ALS research Innovation Ecosystem combining competitive grant funding, six open-access Research Cores, the Target ALS Data Engine, and the multi-site ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI) to accelerate drug discovery for people with ALS.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Target ALS Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Medical Research Foundation
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
Keywords
Where Target ALS Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Target ALS Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Target ALS operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 81-0756743) funded entirely through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. The organization states that 100% of donations support their mission to break down barriers to ALS research.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship opportunities for the Target ALS Annual Meeting, which brings together over 900 global leaders in ALS research from academia, biotech, and industry.
- Campaign Fundraising: Time-limited fundraising campaigns such as the 'All In For ALS Awareness' campaign for ALS Awareness Month, inviting patients, researchers, doctors, and the public to raise visibility and funding for ALS research.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Target ALS Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Target ALS Foundation operates an Innovation Ecosystem for ALS research comprising three pillars: funding collaborative research consortia and grants, providing open-access Research Cores (biofluids, postmortem tissue, stem cells, reagents, animal models, genomics) and the Target ALS Data Engine, and conducting the ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI) including the Global Natural History Study and Community-Based Pop-Up Clinics. All resources, biosamples, and datasets are shared with the global research community with no IP restrictions.
Product overview
Target ALS Foundation operates the Innovation Ecosystem, a multi-component platform for ALS research acceleration comprising the ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI) as its flagship research conduct program (including the Global Natural History Study and Community-Based Pop-Up Clinics), the Target ALS Data Engine as its open data access platform, and six Research Cores (Genomics, Longitudinal Biofluids, Human Postmortem Tissue, Stem Cell, Reagents, and Animal Models) that provide no-strings-attached access to biosamples, reagents, and tools. The organization also funds collaborative research through grant programs and hosts an annual meeting. All resources and data are shared freely with the global research community with no IP restrictions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AGRI (ALS Global Research Initiative): The most comprehensive and inclusive global effort for ALS research, encompassing the Global Natural History Study and Community-Based Pop-Up Clinics.
- Target ALS Data Engine
Products and services
- ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI) The most comprehensive and inclusive global ALS research initiative, encompassing the Global Natural History Study, Community-Based Pop-Up Clinics, and the Brain and Spinal Cord Donation program, addressing gaps in ALS research by enrolling diverse participants worldwide.
- Global Natural History Study
Quantifiable outcome
- 58% of funded consortia have led to drug discovery programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Target ALS Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Target ALS Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
Target ALS Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- AcuraStemcoreBiotechnology company awarded two-year research grant to advance SYF2 therapeutics targeting TDP-43 function, with collaboration involving Johns Hopkins University and Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.
- Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreResearch collaborator with AcuraStem on SYF2 antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics and multiple other Target ALS-funded projects.
- Mayo Clinic JacksonvillecoreResearch collaborator with AcuraStem on SYF2 therapeutics and home to Dr. Leonard Petrucelli's TDP-43 biomarker research.
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery FoundationmajorPartner in biomarker initiative for ALS and FTD diagnostics accelerator alongside Target ALS and Gates Ventures.
- DNAstackcoreTechnology partner for the Target ALS Data Engine platform. DNAstack's technology enables integration of multi-omic datasets and provides the infrastructure for open data access to researchers worldwide.
- VerilycorePartner for Target ALS Data Engine, integrated with Verily Workbench for streamlined analysis of ALS datasets.
- PacBiocoreProvides PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing technology for ALS genomics research. Generates the largest collection of PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing data for ALS.
- New York Genome CentercoreAcademic partner generating Illumina-based short-read whole genomes and RNA sequencing from multiple CNS regions for the Genomics Core.
- PsomagencoreGenomics partner providing Illumina-based short-read whole genomes and Olink HT proteomics data from CSF and plasma.
- BiospectivecoreContract research organization (CRO) for in vivo target validation studies. Partners with Target ALS to evaluate novel therapeutics for target engagement and disease-modifying potential in ALS mouse models.
- The Jackson LaboratorycoreProvides access to 138+ ALS mouse models for preclinical research. Collaborates on in vivo target validation studies and animal model distribution.
- NINDScoreNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke repository for Target ALS stem cell lines. Manages banking and distribution of iPSC lines through their genetics program.
- University of Gothenburg (Henrik Zetterberg team)coreAcademic partner generating MS proteomics from cerebrospinal fluid and plasma using TMTpro 35-plex methodology for the Genomics Core.
- The ALS AssociationcoreCo-funding partner for in vivo studies at The Jackson Laboratory testing candidate ALS therapeutics in standardized C9orf72 mouse models.
- Columbia University Irving Medical CentercorePartner for iPSC line generation for the Stem Cell Core. Dr. Barbara Corneo's lab creates stem cell lines from patient fibroblasts.
- HiFi SolvescorePartner providing access to largest collection of PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing for ALS within a global search engine for genomic variants across rare diseases.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Target ALS Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The ALS Association: The largest US-based ALS nonprofit, also funding research and providing patient services. Directly competes with Target ALS for ALS research grants, donor dollars, and research partnerships; also a co-funding partner on in vivo studies at The Jackson Laboratory.
- ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI): A nonprofit biotechnology research organization focused exclusively on ALS drug discovery. Operates its own lab and conducts preclinical research, making it a direct peer in the ALS translational research space.
- Project ALS: A research-focused nonprofit dedicated to funding and conducting ALS research at leading institutions. Overlapping mission around accelerating ALS therapeutics and breaking research barriers.
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD): Nonprofit focused on frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), which shares biology with ALS. Direct peer and co-funding partner with Target ALS on $5M in 2020 grants for biomarkers and ALS/FTD treatments.
- ALS Hope Foundation: A smaller ALS research nonprofit focused on funding clinical trials and translational research. Directly comparable as a disease-specific ALS foundation competing in the same donor and grantmaking space.
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF): Nonprofit focused on accelerating drug discovery for Alzheimer's and related dementias. Direct peer and partner in the Gates Ventures biomarker initiative covering ALS, FTD, and Alzheimer's.
Emerging players
- Answer ALS: Multi-institutional research consortium generating comprehensive ALS multi-omic datasets, with similar data infrastructure ambitions to Target ALS Data Engine. Partial overlap in mission to build shared ALS research resources.
- Hereditary Disease Foundation: Smaller rare disease research foundation supporting basic and applied research. Comparable model of funding collaborative neuroscience research and convening research consortia.
Broad incumbents
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: Larger, more established neurodegenerative disease research foundation with similar model of grantmaking, research resources, and patient engagement. Comparable approach in building research infrastructure for a single disease.
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Highly successful disease-specific research foundation that pioneered a model of directly funding drug development, including biotech venture philanthropy. Provides a comparable blueprint for scaling disease research infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Target ALS Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceTarget ALS Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Target ALS Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Target ALS Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Target ALS Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Target ALS Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Target ALS Foundation
What does Target ALS Foundation do?
Target ALS Foundation operates an Innovation Ecosystem for ALS research comprising three pillars: funding collaborative research consortia and grants, providing open-access Research Cores (biofluids, postmortem tissue, stem cells, reagents, animal models, genomics) and the Target ALS Data Engine, and conducting the ALS Global Research Initiative (AGRI) including the Global Natural History Study and Community-Based Pop-Up Clinics. All resources, biosamples, and datasets are shared with the global research community with no IP restrictions.
Is Target ALS Foundation a public or private company?
Target ALS Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Target ALS Foundation founded?
Target ALS Foundation was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Target ALS Foundation based?
Target ALS Foundation is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Target ALS Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship and campaign Fundraising.
Who are Target ALS Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The ALS Association, ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), Project ALS, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), ALS Hope Foundation and Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). Emerging players are Answer ALS and Hereditary Disease Foundation. Broad incumbents are Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Does Target ALS Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Target ALS Foundation.
What industry is Target ALS Foundation in?
Target ALS Foundation's product category is Medical Research Foundation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8731.