International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation

DONATE
JOIN

Research Strategy

IWMF Research Goal:
To Accelerate the Cure

IWMF stands at the forefront of a global mission: to transform WM from an incurable cancer into a disease where a cure becomes a reality. IWMF defines “cure” not as remission, but as the achievement of sustained, treatment-free survival. Complete responses in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) remain very rare, and even with the best novel combination therapies to date, recurrent disease relapses are expected. IWMF is committed to identifying and supporting new insights, approaches, and therapeutics that ultimately will achieve a WM cure.

As the world’s leading patient-centered organization dedicated exclusively to WM, IWMF leverages its unrivaled network, Scientific Advisory Committee expertise, and global commitment to drive groundbreaking research, fund innovative therapeutic discoveries, advance novel clinical trials, and foster collaborations reshaping the future for all affected by this rare disease.

IWMF 2026 Strategic Research Objectives

IWMF’s 2026 Strategic Research Agenda is closely aligned with its global mission to support WM patients and is driven by several key objectives:

  • Provide targeted funding to top academic institutions to accelerate the translation of research discoveries into transformative therapies
  • Demonstrate that research investments yield measurable clinical benefits
  • Attract and sustain leading investigators and clinicians, including early-career talent, to ensure continued innovation in WM
  • Strengthen collaborative partnerships with other leading non-profit organizations—including Blood Cancer United and the Lymphoma Research Foundation—to expand support resources for WM patients
  • Actively engage with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to encourage and facilitate ongoing efforts towards research, development, and regulatory approvals of novel WM therapeutics

Current Research Priorities

Presently, IWMF is funding 32 premier academic research labs worldwide. IWMF seeks to support compelling, transformative research studies, as described in detail in IWMF’s 2026 Strategic Research Agenda, including:

Discovery and Preclinical studies:

  • Uncover new features of WM biology and cellular vulnerabilities
  • Investigate mechanisms of WM relapse and therapy resistance
  • Identify and pursue novel, therapeutically exploitable targets

These studies seek to emphasize translational relevance and clinical applications, with a clear path toward improved patient outcomes.

Exploratory clinical studies:

  • Identify innovative treatments using novel agents, novel combination therapies, or immunotherapies with high potential for clinical activity
  • Validate novel interventions to eliminate disease, measured by MRD
  • Improve quality of life and/or reduce prevalent disease complications

Exploratory pilot clinical studies will employ novel agents or regimens that demonstrate clear potential for meaningful outcomes improvement.

Through this comprehensive research strategy, IWMF continues to drive innovation and clinical advances – helping turn bold ideas into breakthrough therapies!

Research Grants

To learn more about research grants and how to apply, visit our Applying for a Research Grant page.