About the Programme
BTR-NTA is an international accelerator programme that provides independent guidance to help industry and academic researchers position their therapy along a realistic pathway to clinical trials.
Developing a comprehensive translational programme for brain tumours involves navigating numerous challenges, including preclinical study robustness, safety, clinical trial design, understanding and addressing regulatory requirements, and commercialisation. Recognising the difficulty of this journey, the TJBCM launched the BTR-NTA in 2023.
The BTR-NTA is an accelerator programme providing independent expert guidance to de-risk drug or device development through systematic evaluation. The BTR-NTA programme welcomes applications from any research groups who are developing a therapy for brain tumours in an academic or industry setting.
Thanks to funding from Brain Tumour Research, the BTR-NTA programme is free for academics and available at nominal cost for industry applicants.
Challenges to overcome when developing a translational programme for brain tumours:
In partnership with Brain Tumour Research
Process
Academic and industry researchers at any stage of therapeutic development may apply to BTR-NTA.
Why apply to BTR-NTA
- Receive up to 240 hours of expert input on your work from an international, multidisciplinary committee
- Free for academics* and low cost for industry
- Obtain independent guidance on future work and next steps
- Have potential pitfalls or risks highlighted
- Get recommendations on potential avenues for partnerships or funding
*There is an administration fee to secure a place on this sought after programme.
The deadline for pre-applications for the November 2026 meeting in Zurich is 7 August 23:59 BST. The application form can be found below.
Accepted applicants progress through the process outlined above, gaining access to up to 240 hours of expert support, including in-person review meetings for collaborative discussion with reviewers.
Insights & Impact
What previous applicants have to say about BTR-NTA
Where our applicants have applied from:
Click here to read non-confidential summaries of the therapies reviewed to date.
Since the launch of BTR-NTA in 2023:
international groups have applied
to the programme (49% academic, 51% industry).
therapies for brain tumours reviewed
by the BTR-NTA Committee, across six review cycles.
of applicants gained new ideas
or insights they had not previously considered through the BTR-NTA process
adapted aspects of preclinical, clinical, manufacturing or regulatory plans
secured follow-on funding
from foundations, govt bodies, or investors
of applicants would recommend
the BTR-NTA programme to a colleague
Committee
The BTR-NTA programme is led by a Core Committee of international experts from within and outside of the brain tumour field. In addition to the Core Committee, an Extended Bank of Experts are drawn on for each review to provide guidance specific to the applicants’ needs.
BTR-NTA Committee members’ expertise spans the entire therapeutic development pathway to avoid a siloed approach to the development of novel therapies.
Professor Juanita Lopez
BTR-NTA Programme Chair & Medical Oncologist, The Royal Marsden NHS Trust (UK)
Professor Petra Hamerlik
BTR-NTA Programme Vice-chair & Chair of Translational Neuro-Oncology, University of Manchester (UK)
Professor Paul Brennan
Professor of Clinical and Experimental Neurosurgery, Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon, University of Edinburgh (UK)
Dr Helen Bulbeck
Patient advocate, brainstrust (UK)
Professor Darren Hargrave
Clinical Professor of Paediatric Neuro-oncology, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UK)
Dr Edward Kaye
CEO and Director, Aurora Therapeutics (USA)
Dr Dione Kobayashi
Head of Therapeutics, Amplify (USA)
Mr Ryan Mathew
Consultant Neurosurgeon, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (UK)
Professor Kanneboyina Nagaraju
Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University (USA)
Dr Javad Nazarian
Head of DMG/DIPG Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich (CHE)
Dr Constanze Ochmann
Patient Advocate and Director of CMC (UK)
Professor Ruman Rahman
Professor of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, University of Nottingham (UK)
Professor Artie Romero
Professor of Medicine and Director of Medicinal Chemistry, Washington University School of Medicine (USA)
Dr Erik Sulman
Professor and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine (USA)
Mrs Joanna Tufnell
Regulatory Professional, Various (UK)
Dr Nicky Huskens
TJBCM CEO
Eloise Lines
Senior Analyst
Dr Nicky Huskens
TJBCM CEO
Nicky provides leadership and support for the programme, working with the committee and the rest of the TJBCM team to ensure its alignment with the Mission’s goals to accelerate the development of innovative treatments for brain tumours.
As Mission CEO, Nicky is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, designing new programmes and overseeing the mission’s existing programme portfolio, seeking new funding and ensuring the overall successful management of the company.
Eloise Lines
Senior Analyst
As a Senior Analyst, Eloise is involved in supporting the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator (BTR-NTA), where she assists the day-to-day management of the programme, working closely with a multidisciplinary international group of experts who review and provide guidance on the translation and development of novel treatments. She is also involved in the development of a clinical trial support service for brain tumour treatments.
Extended Bank of Experts
Click to view| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Professor Richard Vile | Professor of Immunology, Mayo Clinic (USA) |
| Dr Maria Vieto | Medical Oncologist and Clinical Investigator, Drug Development Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (Spain) |
| Professor Scott Pomeroy | Bronson Crothers Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School (USA) |
| Professor Steven Pollard | Group Leader, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh (UK) |
| Dr Rashmi Rawat | Director, Regulatory Affairs, CMC-Biologics, AstraZeneca (USA) |
| Dr Anqing Zhang | Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, The George Washington University & Faculty Biostatistician, Children’s National Medical Center (USA) |
| Dr Faye Robertson | Consultant Clinical Oncologist, NHS Lothian (UK) |
| Dr Ulrich Blaschke | Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Nykode Therapeutics (CPH) |
| Mr Marvin Vos | Patient Advocate (NL) |
| Dr Monica Venere | Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University (USA) |
| Dr Olga Petrova | Director of Innovation Initiatives, University of Buffalo (USA) |
| Professor Dolan Sondhi | Professor of Research in Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (USA) |
| Dr Michael Canney | Chief Scientific Officer, Carthera (USA) |
| Dr Christopher Tinkle | Paediatric Radiation Oncologist and Co-Principal Investigator, Department of Radiation Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (USA) |
| Professor Oren Scherman | Professor of Supramolecular and Polymer Chemistry, University of Cambridge (UK) |
| Professor Adam Waldman | Chair of Neuroradiology, The University of Edinburgh (UK) |
| Dr Eric Vela | Principle Consultant, BiotechExec & Founder, Viragenix LLC (USA) |
| Dr Gerben Borst | Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester (UK) |
| Dr Heather Gordish-Dressman | Associate Professor of Genomics and Precision Medicine, The George Washington University (USA) |
| Mr Adam Thomson | Patient Involvement Officer, brainstrust (UK) |
| Mr Babar Vaqas | Consultant Neurosurgeon, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (UK) |
| Dr Amanda Fuller | Medical Device Consultant, Freelance (UK) |
| Mr Michael Brannagan-Harris | Founder and CEO, Device Access (UK) |
Funding Navigator
Click here to download a copy of the Funding Navigator.
[Last updated on 16.01.26]
Why did we build a funding navigator?
Funding opportunities for professionals working in the brain tumour field can be difficult to find and navigate. This funding navigator provides a list of >100 potential funding organisations for professionals working in neuro-oncology, in a quick and easy to navigate way.
Who is the funding navigator for?
The funding navigator covers opportunities in a wide range of areas, from cellular biology and diagnostics, to clinical trials and patient care. They are available for those working in academic, hospital and industry settings holding a range of roles working towards the improved treatment of patients with brain tumours.
The navigator focuses mainly on UK funding offers but does include some international and collaborative funding options.
If you know of a funding opportunity not yet listed in the database or would like to make amendments to one that is already listed, please contact eloise.lines@tessajowellbcm.org with the details and we will be more than happy to add/amend it!
Find out more about how to use the Funding Navigator here.
Contact Us
If you are interested in applying, would like to become an expert reviewer, or would like more information, please register below or contact Eloise Lines – eloise.lines@tessajowellbcm.org
If you would like more information on the BTR-NTA programme, please register your interest here:
