GRAPPA EU
STICHTING GROUP FOR RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT OF PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS EU POLICY PLAN
GRAPPA EU was founded by Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) a tax exempt private operating foundation based in the United States (www.grappanetwork.org). GRAPPA is an international consortium presently comprised of 1200 rheumatologists, dermatologists, radiologists, methodologists, epidemiologists, and patient research partners who contribute to the field of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In addition, pharmaceutical companies are corporate members of GRAPPA. GRAPPA is focused on identifying and initiating research on key areas of unmet need, advancing new assessment tools, promoting educational forums and developing treatment guidelines for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
The mission of GRAPPA EU is to further the work of GRAPPA with a specific focus on participating in research projects relating to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the European Union.
GRAPPA EU Status and Governance
GRAPPA EU is a Dutch non-profit corporation and has been granted status as an ANBI public benefit organization with RSIN/tax number 859999920. GRAPPA EU is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under the number: 74708651. Its business address is Thorbeckeplein, 8, 5301 NB Zaltbommel, Netherlands. You can also reach GRAPPA EU at +1.801.376.2065 or by email at either [email protected] or [email protected]
Governance
GRAPPA EU is managed by a Management Board comprised of five individual members of GRAPPA. The current GRAPPA EU directors are:
- President: Kristina Callis Duffin
- Vice President: Oliver FitzGerald
- Secretary: Philip Helliwell
- Treasurer: Philip Mease
- Member at Large: Maarten de Wit
The members of the Management Board of GRAPPA EU are appointed by the Management Board of GRAPPA.
No member of the Management Board has the authority to commit the funds of GRAPPA EU to pay any obligation. Any obligations to be incurred or paid by GRAPPA EU require a majority vote of the Management Board, except for obligations that are less than €500 per month, individually or in the aggregate.
Remuneration Policy for Board Members and Staff
No remuneration can be granted to the Management Board members. Expenses will be reimbursed to the Management Board members on production of the necessary proof.
GRAPPA EU is currently staffed by Deborah Warren, a contracted Project Administrator. The Executive Director of GRAPPA is responsible for administrative management of GRAPPA EU and is compensated by GRAPPA. GRAPPA EU will retain third parties to provide accounting and tax services and other business services pursuant to customary services agreements.
Three Year Policy Plan (2023-2026)
The mission of GRAPPA EU is to identify, seek funding for, and initiate research projects that will advance the mission of GRAPPA including the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Research Projects
HIPPOCRATES
GRAPPA EU is part of a consortium which successfully bid for funding for the HIPPOCRATES project from the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI).
The IMI is a jointly funded partnership between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). The HIPPOCRATES project began in July 2021 and is anticipated to conclude after 5 years.
HIPPOCRATES is a research initiative in the field of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The acronym stands for: “Health initiatives in Psoriasis and PsOriatic arthritis ConsoRTium European States”.
The purpose of HIPPOCRATES is to promote early identification and improving outcomes in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). To reduce the burden of PsA, the HIPPOCRATES consortium brings together world leading clinicians, highly qualified experts and researchers in the field of psoriasis and PsA and people living with the disease. They will work together closely as a team to intensify the search for promising new tests that can guide the future development of new effective treatments for PsA. A well-established team from all over Europe will work together on these ambitious objectives through seven work packages.
Further details of this exciting project can be found on the dedicated website https://www.hippocrates-imi.eu
The role of GRAPPA EU in the HIPPOCRATES project includes the following: (1) coordinating the involvement within HIPPOCRATES of GRAPPA academic centers who are not directly involved in the project; and (2) facilitating the involvement within HIPPOCRATES of the GRAPPA patient research partners and other patient advocacy groups worldwide.
Other research projects
In addition to the grant from IMI, GRAPPA EU will explore other sources of research funding for research projects related to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis including Horizon 2020, Foreum and the Wellcome Trust. Horizon 2020 is an EU sponsored research and innovation program that, like the IMI periodically issues calls for research proposals. While Horizon 2020 may expire in 2020, it is expected to be renewed for an additional period. The Wellcome Trust is a well-known foundation based in the United Kingdom that is focused on funding health-related initiatives, including biomedical research and development. Foreum is a scientific research funding organization affiliated with European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), the European Union professional organization focused on rheumatology. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis fall under the umbrella of rheumatology and GRAPPA EU will look to submit proposals in response to any Foreum call related to those therapeutic areas.
Research Results
The results of GRAPPA EU’s research projects will be shared with the health care community involved in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and, as appropriate, the wider public through publication on the GRAPPA and GRAPPA EU website, publication in scientific journals, presentations at scientific conferences and presentations at medical education programs. The objective is to spread knowledge about the results of the research projects to inform medical practice and the development of new drugs and procedures for diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, dissemination will be via dedicated educational updates which are organized in EU countries, and elsewhere in the rheumatology community.
Funding
GRAPPA EU will seek funding from governmental and non-governmental organizations for its research projects and may also seek funding from pharmaceutical companies. It is expected that the primary funding for GRAPPA EU will be received from organizations based in the European Union.
The ongoing costs of operations and legal compliance for GRAPPA EU are paid by funds donated by its US affiliated organization, GRAPPA.
Financial Statement
Financial statements for 2022 can be found here:
Financial statements for 2021 can be found here: