About us

Our Mission

To power rare disease research, medical innovation and humanitarian collaborations to improve the health of underserved communities.

Our Vision

To work towards a world free of ultrarare diseases

The RTW Charitable Foundation

Founded in 2018 as the philanthropic arm of RTW Investments, LP, RTW Charitable Foundation powers rare disease research, medical innovation, and humanitarian collaborations to improve the health of underserved communities.

We provide capital, expertise, and research support to help scientists push projects forward. We partner with local organizations to improve health equity across communities in New York City.  

Investing in human lives

The RTW Charitable Foundation was founded at the intersection of scientific progress and humanitarian efforts. It represents an extension of our investment firm mission. Our process helps us identify important causes of human suffering, and introduces us to individuals and organizations trying to make a difference.

To our research grant recipients, we offer not only financial support, but also guidance gleaned from our experience in drug development and company building. Beyond research, we partner with local community organizations to improve health access among underserved communities. 

Fueling innovation and beyond

While the Foundation will support research in more common disease areas and humanitarian causes, the Foundation has an initial focus of supporting rare disease research and education. Drug development research for rare diseases often lacks the funding needed to learn if a treatment is effective and safe.

In addition, some conditions are so rare that no profit model exists to bring such treatments to market. The Foundation believes that the lack of profit should not be a deterrent to promising treatments that can impact the lives of many living with rare diseases. Priority areas will be proposed annually and may include specific rare disease areas of focus.