 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 August 2010 In this Issue:
Take 12 minutes for the MRF
This week, we released the third Myelin Repair Foundation video that has been produced since our founding in 2003. For those who have seen videos #1 and #2, you will see a marked contrast in this third video. This is because over the last few years we’ve grown as an organization and evolved the ARC model in ways that are bringing us much closer to the first myelin repair clinical trial. Our staff now includes seasoned drug hunters who are guiding the basic research and retaining our focus on clinical relevance. Engaging this level of industry expertise on our staff also gives us the necessary horsepower to manage the translation of the discoveries made in our funded labs and deliver to pharma what they want and need to enter partnerships with the MRF and move our therapeutic targets forward to the clinic. I think you will be impressed with these new additions to our scientific management team as well as their level of commitment to developing a myelin repair treatment. I feel honored that these individuals have chosen to join us. While we have our own plans for using the video and a new companion brochure, we thought you would find the video useful in telling your friends and family members about the MRF. Please take 12 minutes to watch the video. Then share it with your friends. Help us tell our story and share with others why you support the MRF -- for its singular focus on myelin repair as the next generation MS therapy and for its model that is accelerating the pace of medical research and drug development. We continue to make great progress in our discovery biology program and are expanding our translational medicine research program in ways that we think will be easily replicated for qualifying each new target identified in our funded laboratories. I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress. Thank you for your commitment to our work. Without you it would not be possible.
Scott Johnson MRF Awarded Second Patent
We mentioned last month that the Myelin Repair Foundation received news of its second US patent. The patent, entitled “Animal Models for Demyelination Disorders” was granted to Drs. Brian Popko and Wensheng Lin. The patent covers methods of testing agents that modulate demyelination in a mouse model. Now, you might ask, what exactly are testing agents that modulate demyelination in a mouse? Megan Rechin, MRF's science writer, found a way to explain exactly what this means without a lot of scientific mumbo jumbo through an analogy about an overheated car in the desert. Read more to gain a better understanding of what this patent means to MS research... Change of Date for First Online "Idea Sourcing" GameAs we mentioned in our last newsletter, this fall the MRF will be hosting two online “idea sourcing” events called "Breakthroughs to Cures" which are designed to explore creative ways to accelerate the pace of medical research and shorten the time to market for new medicines. This project is funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Pioneer Portfolio and the game-style “idea sourcing” technology tool will be developed by the Institute for the Future. We expect to engage as many as 600 individuals in online conversation threads that are expected to identify a wide range of new strategies for accelerating research. The two events will take place respectively on October 7-8 and November 9-10 and are open to the public. If you are interested in registering to play the game, watch for updates in our monthly newsletter. |
Watch and share our newest video. Breakingthrough to CuresPlug into our BlogRead more and comment at our blog:
Sign up to receive blog updates.Our ProgressRead about our latest progress updates: Join Our Cause
 Join the Myelin Repair Foundation on Twitter, Facebook, Inspire & YouTube. |
