DeSantis Announces $60M for Cancer Research, Emphasizing Nutrition and Repurposed Drugs
On World Cancer Research Day, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced a new $60 million funding opportunity through the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund to support innovative cancer research.
The third-year funding initiative, which brings the total investment to $140 million since the fund’s inception, will focus on high-impact research, with a particular emphasis on nutrition practices for cancer prevention and treatment.
Key Details of the Funding
The Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program established the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund to accelerate breakthrough research, improve treatment models, and remove barriers to life-saving medical advancements.
The new $60 million opportunity will prioritize projects that focus on nutritional interventions and the repurposing of generic drugs for cancer treatment, such as Ivermectin.
The funding is intended to support translational research, 12-month clinical trials, direct interventions with measurable outcomes, and projects serving rural and medically underserved areas across Florida.
Impact and Goals
The funding opportunity was announced at a symposium at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo highlighted that the funding is aimed at achieving “quick results and measurable outcomes” for patients.
The program seeks to strengthen Florida’s position as a leader in biomedical research and attract top talent and investment to the state. The competitive grants are open to a wide range of institutions and researchers, with applications to be evaluated based on scientific merit, innovation, collaborative strength, and the potential to improve patient outcomes.
Background
The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund has already provided $80 million to support 95 researchers and institutions. Previous grants have supported projects such as the development of new monitoring technology for early disease detection, the expansion of clinical trials in rural areas, and the establishment of data-driven precision medicine platforms.
The new funding opportunity, accessible through the Florida Department of Health’s website, aims to continue this momentum by fostering collaboration among oncologists, researchers, and treatment centers.
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