| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1 |
The Lustgarten Foundation is the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research in the world. The Foundations mission is to cure pancreatic cancer by funding scientific and clinical research related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer; providing research information and clinical support services to patients, caregivers and individuals at high risk; and increasing public awareness and hope for those dealing with this disease. Since its inception, the Lustgarten Foundation has directed more than $200 million to research and has assembled the best scientific minds with the hope that one day, a cure can be found. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1 The Foundations mission is to cure pancreatic cancer by funding scientific and clinical research related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer; providing research information and clinical support services to patients, caregivers and individuals at high risk; and increasing public awareness and hope for those dealing with this disease. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A |
RESEARCH PROGRAM $19,760,631 GRANTS $18,894,873 The Foundations mission is to cure pancreatic cancer. To advance progress toward this goal, the Foundation committed an additional $18.9 million to research during FY2020, bringing the cumulative total invested through June 2020 to $206 million. Through this significant investment in research, the Foundation has supported more than 300 projects worldwide, with partnerships at nearly 70 academic institutions. Additionally, the Foundation provides two-thirds of the worlds private funding for pancreatic cancer research from organizations focused solely on this disease. During FY2020, major Lustgarten-funded research milestones and achievements have focused on: Stretching the Boundaries of Science Through Clinical Trials: The Foundation established the Clinical Accelerator Initiative (CAI) to shorten the time from clinical trial concept to launch using a Lustgarten-developed process based on the best available science and employing cutting-edge biomarkers. These "smarter" clinical trials will generate large volumes of data that scientists can use now and in the future to inform and improve clinical trials and expedite new treatments. The newly formed Translational Advisory Group, led by Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee and comprised of renowned pancreatic cancer experts, guides the CAI by identifying, reviewing and developing the best translational projects to impact patient care in the clinic. The Translational Advisory Group is building a network of sites to execute the proposed research in small clinical trials of 10-20 patients each. These science-driven studies could dramatically inform research, enabling investigators to quickly determine if patients are responding to specific treatment approaches and why information that will help enhance clinical trials and ultimately, clinical care. In FY2020, the Lustgarten Foundation also laid the groundwork for the first two trials to be conducted through the CAI. These trials are focused on improving treatments and outcomes for patients with late-state pancreatic cancer: - Trial 1: PASS-01 (Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Signature Stratification for treatment): Researchers are working to maximize the response to standard, first-line chemotherapy and to improve patient outcomes by comparing two standard-of-care chemotherapy regimens (Gemcitabine and Abraxane, and modified FOLFIRINOX). For each trial participant, researchers develop an organoid a 3D cell culture of a patients specific tumor and analyze its genetics, biology and drug sensitivity to determine the most effective chemotherapy regimen for each patient. If successful, this trial can pave the way for the use of organoids to personalize therapies for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. - Trial 2: Phase 2 Study of Plerixafor and Cemiplimab in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Researchers are focusing on combinations of drugs that may overcome the barriers limiting the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments in pancreatic cancer. This trial is testing previous research suggesting treatment with a stem-cell mobilizer (Plerixafor) in combination with a PD-L1 inhibitor (Cemiplimab) will activate a patients own tumor-killing T cells to shrink pancreatic tumors. This trial will open the door to more promising immunotherapy treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients. Accelerating the Pace of Discovery at the Dedicated Lustgarten Labs: The Lustgarten Foundation is the only non-profit to fund five Dedicated Pancreatic Cancer Research Labs. These labs are united in their shared goals of increasing collaboration between world-renowned pancreatic cancer researchers, exploring promising avenues for understanding and treating pancreatic cancer and improving patient outcomes. Despite the formidable challenges of 2020 caused by the pandemic, Lustgarten researchers rallied together to continue making research progress to benefit patients. - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (Long Island, New York) Focusing on Personalized Medicine Dr. David Tuveson leads the Lustgarten Laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, designing new models of the disease and discovering novel therapeutic and diagnostic platforms to bring new options to patients more rapidly. Dr. Tuveson was the first scientist to develop a pancreatic cancer organoid a three-dimensional cell culture system which reproduces a patients tumor. This enables researchers to repeatedly test the effectiveness of different drugs to accurately predict how a patient will respond to various therapies, offering the hope of personalized cancer treatments. The labs new organoid facility will grow and test organoids for PASS-01 clinical trial participants. - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, Massachusetts) Advancing Translational Research Under the leadership of Dr. Brian Wolpin, the Lustgarten Laboratory at Dana-Farber is a critical hub for advancing research from the laboratory to the clinic, initiating scientifically-driven clinical trials and identifying new approaches to early detection. Dr. Wolpin and his team are also analyzing pancreatic cancer subtypes to understand mechanisms of drug resistance and the genetic drivers that determine each subtype. During FY2020, Dr. Wolpin and his team made significant progress in understanding an inherited risk for pancreatic cancer. - Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, Maryland) Furthering Early Detection and Therapeutics Directed by Dr. Bert Vogelstein, the Lustgarten Laboratory at Johns Hopkins is using its expertise in early detection to discover pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage, when patients may be surgical candidates, and is developing new therapeutic approaches based on genetic alterations. - Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, Maryland) Advancing Immunology Led by Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee, this lab is working to bring novel therapies for pancreatic cancer to the clinic as quickly as possible. Building on decades of experience and expertise in the immunology of pancreatic cancer, Dr. Jaffee and her team are focusing on immune therapies and developing approaches to bring the benefits of this revolutionary approach to treating tumors to pancreatic cancer. - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Massachusetts) Merging Technology and Engineering The Lustgarten Laboratory at MIT is leveraging its unparalleled expertise in cancer biology and engineering to advance pancreatic cancer research. Led by Dr. Tyler Jacks, the laboratory is studying the genetic events contributing to cancer development and examining the immune responses to the disease using molecular profiling to identify tumor mutations. Dr. Jacks and his team also are running preclinical trials in mouse model systems to see which drugs and drug combinations work best to bring about a proper immune response against pancreatic cancer. Pursuing Early Detection Techniques: - CancerSEEK Accelerates Early Detection Lustgarten-funded research at Johns Hopkins played an instrumental role in the development of an early detection blood-based test called CancerSEEK that can identify the presence of multiple cancers. A landmark study of the test, released in April 2020, showed promising results for earlier detection as part of routine medical checks, enabling potentially curative treatment that could change patient outcomes. The study found that the test more than doubled the number of cancers that were first "screen-detectedidentified undiagnosed cancers in 10 different organs (including seven with no current standard-of-care screening). - Artificial Intelligence is Key to Detecting Pancreatic Cancer Earlier Lustgarten-funded researchers at Johns Hopkins also are using artificial intelligence to detect pancreatic cancer earlier. Through their research, theyve trained computers to recognize patterns in medical images to detect pancreatic tumors on CT scans and identify tumors measuring one centimeter or less, when they may be missed by a diagnostician, so diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be started much sooner. - New CompCyst Test Can Prevent Unnecessary Surgeries The Lustgarten-dedicated laboratory at Johns Hopkins is developing a test called CompCyst, which combines clinical, radiological, genetic and protein marker information to classify pancreatic cysts and determine which ones require surgery. The Lustgarten Laboratory at Johns Hopkins is working to further develop CompCyst into a clinically approved test. |
| Identifying Novel Therapeutic Approaches: |
To ensure a robust and flourishing pipeline of potential treatments and enable collaboration, the Foundation launched a new Therapeutics-Focused Research Program, awarding grants to research aiming to: - Learn how the stroma the supportive tissue surrounding the pancreatic tumor may help protect tumors from the immune system and resist therapies. - Understand and discover how to block the inflammatory signals that can lead to pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic diseases in response to environmental causes. - Determine ways to stop tumor cell growth by blocking the abnormal metabolic pathways used by pancreatic cancer cells. - Prevent the spread or metastasis of cancer by isolating metastatic triggers in cancer cells and the stroma. Expanding Collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer: The Pancreatic Cancer Collective, a joint initiative of the Lustgarten Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer, is making groundbreaking progress in identifying new ways to treat pancreatic cancer and improving outcomes for patients. The Collective is conducting nearly 30 clinical trials led by more than 400 research investigators at approximately 70 participating institutions. During FY2020, four projects supported by the Collectives "New Therapies Challenge Grants" made it through the second round of funding, enabling researchers to take potential treatments into clinical trials and accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic options. Additionally, the Collective awarded two grants for computational approaches using artificial intelligence to mimic human reasoning and identify individuals in the general population who are at high risk for pancreatic cancer. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PROGRAM $1,165,750 The Lustgarten Foundation is the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research in the world. The Foundations mission is to cure pancreatic cancer by funding scientific and clinical research related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer; providing research information and clinical support services to patients, caregivers and individuals at high risk; and increasing public awareness and hope for those dealing with this disease. The Lustgarten Foundation created, printed and distributed materials to update patients, caregivers, survivors, donors, volunteers, walk and event leaders and corporate sponsors on research developments, Foundation milestones and walks/events. Materials included: - Progress & Promise newsletters - Interview with an Expert Q&A pieces - Annual report - Monthly e-newsletter - Research milestones update - Pre-packaged article for publication in community newspapers nationwide with accompanying radio public service announcement - Television public service announcement focusing on the Foundations commitment to research The Lustgarten Foundation continues to distribute its Understanding Pancreatic Cancer: A Guide for Patients & Caregivers handbook, containing information on navigating a pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. The book and many of the materials noted above are accessible at www.lustgarten.org. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM $246,644 Professional education focused on the Foundations senior leadership conducting high-level meetings with scientists, directors of the five dedicated laboratories and collaborating organizations as well as attending/presenting at scientific meetings for organizations including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and Stand Up To Cancer. The Foundation served as a lead sponsor for the AACR Special Meeting on Pancreatic Cancer held in September 2019. The Foundation held its annual scientific meeting for the Scientific Advisory Board and select researchers in November 2019 as well. These meetings helped foster a better understanding of global developments in pancreatic cancer research and progress/trends to help shape the Foundations annual research program and long-term strategic goals. The Stand Up To Cancer Summit held in January 2020 provides an opportunity for funded researchers from the Pancreatic Cancer Collective and Foundation leadership to gather for a dynamic and inspiring conference where more than 300 top scientists come together to discuss breakthroughs and updates in cancer research. The Collective scientists make presentations to the entire group as well as presenting projects in more detail for closed session progress reports and reviews. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 CHARLES F. DOLAN, JAMES L. DOLAN AND QUENTIN DOLAN - FAMILY AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. MARCIA LUSTGARTEN, ANDREW LUSTGARTEN AND JESSICA LUSTGARTEN COURTEMANCHE FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B |
FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT FOR ACCURACY AND REASONABLENESS PRIOR TO SUBMISSION TO THE IRS. ADDITIONALLY A COMPLETE COPY OF THE FINAL RETURN IS PROVIDED TO ALL VOTING BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE IRS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C |
THE ORGANIZATION HAS A WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE WRITTEN POLICY REQUIRES ANNUAL DISCLOSURES BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND KEY PERSONS OF ANY INTEREST THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICT. THE ORGANIZATION REGULARLY AND CONSISTENTLY MONITORS AND ENFORCES THE COMPLIANCE OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. In the instance where a director has a conflict, they are asked by the Board Chair to recuse themselves from deliberations, decisions and the vote. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A & 15B |
Compensation for the Organization's President & CEO is reviewed and approved by the independent members of the board of directors. Compensation for other officers is reviewed by the Human Resources Department. Compensation reviews are performed with a consultant, who provides comparability data for review. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a compensation review did not take place in FY2020, but the Foundation is planning to conduct one in FY2021. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 |
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. IN ADDITION, GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.