The Michelson Prize and Grants in Reproductive Biology Program is a $75 million (USD) initiative to create a safe and effective, single-dose, nonsurgical sterilant for male and female cats and dogs.[1] It includes a $25 million (USD) prize for the first entity to develop a product that meets a series of criteria, which include: a single-dose, permanent, nonsurgical sterilant; safe and effective in male and female cats and dogs, ablates sex steroids and/or their effects, suitable for administration in a field setting, viable pathway to regulatory approval, and reasonable manufacturing process and cost.[2] The program has also committed up to $50 million (USD) in grant funding for promising research in pursuit of a sterilant that meets these criteria. To date, $19 million has been awarded to 41 research projects worldwide, including a 2023 study on durable anti-Mullerian hormone treatments for female cats.[3][4]
History
editThe prize was established in October 2008 by Michelson Found Animals Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded by inventor, philanthropist, and retired orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gary K. Michelson.[5] The prize seeks to make sterilization for cats and dogs accessible and affordable worldwide through a high-volume, low-profit model.[6][7]
Michelson Found Animals Foundation also offers Michelson Grants, up to $250,000 per year for up to three years, to fund research for sterilization technology.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Peters, Sharon L. (2008-10-15). "Inventor Michelson offers $75M for a way to sterilize pets". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
- ^ Conlon, Thomas (September 3, 2018). "The Michelson Prize & Grants: past, present, future". youtube.com/watch?v=4bagH2Eas50. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ Vansandt, Lindsey M.; Meinsohn, Marie-Charlotte; Godin, Philippe; Nagykery, Nicholas; Sicher, Natalie; Kano, Motohiro; Kashiwagi, Aki; Chauvin, Maeva; Saatcioglu, Hatice D.; Barnes, Julie L.; Miller, Amy G.; Thompson, Amy K.; Bateman, Helen L.; Donelan, Elizabeth M.; González, Raquel (2023-06-06). "Durable contraception in the female domestic cat using viral-vectored delivery of a feline anti-Müllerian hormone transgene". Nature Communications. 14 (1): 3140. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-38721-0. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 10244415.
- ^ Vaughan, Don (2022-08-30). "Giving It Their Best Shot". Today's Veterinary Business. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ Grimm, David (June 6, 2023). "Hello kitty, goodbye kittens? Gene therapy spays cats without surgery". Science. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Scientific research increasingly fueled by prize money". Retrieved 2018-02-16.
- ^ Whelan, David. "Animal Nut". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
- ^ "Nonsurgical sterilization research gives birth to new veterinary tools". DVM 360. 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
External links
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