Last week the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced two new programs related to the development and manufacturing of genetic medicines. In a post announcing the two programs, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.referenceda recent breakthrough in gene therapy for rare metabolic diseases and framed ARPA-H’s new investment as a continuation of that progress. The new programs also align with the Administration’s priorities in rare and undiagnosed diseases and building domestic biomanufacturing capacity, as outlinedin its fiscal year (FY) 2027 research and development priorities memo. While exact funding totals have not been announced for these programs, other ARPA-H programs have typically been funded in the $100-200 million range, with individual awards generally averaging $20-40 million over multiple years
The Treating Hereditary Rare Diseases with In Vivo Precision Genetic Medicines (THRIVE) program focuses on the big question, “What if all diseases could be cured with genetics?”. The program, run by Program Manager Mimi Lee, “intends to develop pioneering integrated platform technologies to accelerate precision genetic medicines (PGMs) and provide single-intervention precision treatments to slow, reverse, or prevent chronic diseases at the genetic level,” focusing on affordability, scalability and sustainability. Solutions Summaries are due October 31, 2025 and full proposals (by invitation only) are due December 19, 2025. A recorded presentation on THRIVE can be found here and interested parties can register for a virtual lightning talk or sidebar using this link (must register by September 30, 2025). A press release with additional context on THRIVE is available here.
The Genetic Medicines and Individualized Manufacturing for Everyone (GIVE) program focuses on the big question, “What if we could manufacture any genetic medicine anywhere in the U.S.?”. The program, led by Program Manager John Schiel, aims to build a “multi-site, multi-product, and multi-scale biomanufacturing network” focused on “advanced technologies for automated manufacturing and integrated quality control platforms.” Solutions Summaries are due December 19, 2025 and full proposals (by invitation only) will be due February 27, 2026. A hybrid Proposers’ Day is expected to be scheduled and details will be posted on the main program page in the weeks ahead. A press release with additional context on GIVE is availablehere
Lewis-Burke expects additional ARPA-H programs to be launched this fall and encourages prospective applicants to review the backgrounds of ARPA-H Program Managers who have yet to announce programs for insights into their future portfolios.