ARPA-H Unveils FRONT Program Meant to Tackle Neurological Disease

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an agency within HHS, unveiled the “Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue (FRONT) program, a transformative initiative to restore brain function and position the U.S. as the global leader in brain repair technology.”

HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill said that the FRONT program’s goal is to “deploy regenerative medicine to transform the treatment of neurological diseases,” especially damaged caused by strokes and traumatic brain injuries. The neocortex is the largest part of the brain, and damage to it can lead to irreversible damage. The program will use “neurodevelopmental principles and stem cell technology to regenerate brain tissue and restore lost functions.”

Some of the key priorities of the FRONT program include combating chronic disease by working to “develop a curative therapy for over 20 million U.S. adults suffering from chronic neocortical brain damage caused by stroke, neurodegeneration, and trauma;” economic growth and innovation, saving the U.S. economy an estimated $800 billion annually; veteran and military support; and societal impact through providing “new hope to millions who have suffered severe brain damage and now rely on caregivers for daily living.”

FRONT’s program manager, Jean Hebert, says that “no technology exists [currently] to repair damaged tissue and fully restore lost function,” which the program will aim to remedy. It will span five years, “with strict performance metrics and a focus on preparing for human clinical trials. ARPA-H will solicit proposals under its Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) in two key areas: graft tissue generation and engraftment procedures for functional brain recovery. ARPA-H encourages collaboration among experts across disciplines to meet the program’s ambitious goals.”