Relentless Progress
Founded by Dan Doctoroff in 2013, Target ALS is dedicated to breaking down barriers to research in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Through our landmark Innovation Ecosystem, we are accelerating the discovery of effective treatments.
Our mission is to break down barriers to ALS research to find effective treatments. By uniting academia, the pharma and biotech industry, government, venture capital, related nonprofits, and the ALS community, we aim to overcome the challenges that have long hindered progress, bringing hope and tangible advancements to those affected by this devastating disease.
Our vision is a world where Everyone Lives, where breakthroughs in ALS research lead to effective treatments that give those living with ALS and their families the hope and future they deserve.
Our Values
Impatient Optimism
We are driven by the urgency of ALS, knowing that those diagnosed often have only 2-5 years to live. This fuels our impatience for breakthroughs, yet we remain steadfastly optimistic that effective treatments are within reach.
Deliberate Disruption
We challenge the status quo at every level by uniting multidisciplinary teams, removing intellectual property restrictions, and providing minimal to no-cost resources worldwide with no strings attached. We harness cutting-edge technology, make data-driven decisions, and foster unconventional partnerships across academia, industry, and nonprofits. By streamlining processes, supporting the best ideas, and addressing overlooked needs, we’re redefining what’s possible in ALS research and creating a global impact.
Radical Collaboration
We bring together diverse voices—researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and advocates—to foster partnerships that amplify impact and drive meaningful results. Transparency, inclusivity, and shared learning are at the heart of everything we do.
Our founder
Dan Doctoroff, the founder of Target ALS, is a visionary leader with a deeply personal connection to the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Diagnosed with the disease in 2021, Dan’s commitment to accelerating ALS research stems from both his diagnosis and his family’s history with the disease, as his father and uncle also battled ALS. Before founding Target ALS in 2013, Dan’s career spanned influential roles, including serving as the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding for New York City and CEO of Bloomberg LP. His drive to break down barriers and foster innovation is the foundation of Target ALS’s mission, ensuring that collaboration, optimism, and urgency guide the search for effective treatments.
Our team
At Target ALS, we bring together a dedicated team of experts, advisors, and leaders committed to transforming the landscape of ALS research. Our staff combines deep expertise in clinical research, science, business, and philanthropy to drive innovative collaborations and groundbreaking initiatives. Our Board of Directors, made up of prominent leaders from various industries, provides strategic guidance to amplify our impact. Ensuring the highest standards, our Independent Review Committee (IRC) evaluates the scientific rigor and effectiveness of our research efforts, while our Conflict of Interest (COI) Committee safeguards transparency and integrity in every partnership.
Resources
We empower scientists and researchers with access to essential tools and resources designed to break down barriers in ALS research. Through our Research Cores, we provide human postmortem tissue, multi-omic datasets, stem cell lines, biofluids, reagents, and more—all without intellectual property restrictions and minimal to no cost.
Financials
At Target ALS, we uphold the highest standards of financial responsibility and transparency. We openly share our audited financial statements and annual reports, detailing our financial activities and the impact of your contributions. This commitment ensures that your donations effectively drive our mission to eliminate barriers in ALS research and develop effective treatments.
Strategy
Our Innovation Ecosystem, launched in 2013, is powered by six reinforcing strategies to accelerate research from the bench to the bedside: Collaborative funding opportunities break silos and foster partnership, accessible tools and resources empower ideas from researchers across disciplines, engagement of pharma/biotech industry accelerates drug development, independent grant review ensures all ideas get fair and transparent evaluation, no intellectual property restrictions on science galvanizes innovation, and networking forges collaborations among the worldwide research community
