The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has awarded a $500,000 grant to Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), to support the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Expediting ALS Therapy Development
The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial is designed to test multiple therapies simultaneously, a pioneering approach to finding effective treatments for ALS, a neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. The grant will bolster the trial's capacity to explore new biomarkers, enhance patient outreach and recruitment, and engage with the FDA to adapt the trial based on previous experience.
"We are incredibly grateful for Muscular Dystrophy Association’s generous support of the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial," said Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator of the trial at MGH. "This funding will enable us to expedite the testing of promising therapies and move us closer to our ultimate goal of finding effective treatments for people living with ALS."
MDA's Commitment to ALS Research
The MDA has a long-standing commitment to fighting ALS, dating back to the 1950s. Since then, the organization has invested over $176 million in ALS research. This latest grant continues MDA's support for the ALS community, building on the momentum of its fundraising efforts and investments in research and patient care.
"The MDA is deeply committed to advancing research that brings us closer to life-changing treatments and, ultimately, a cure for ALS," said Sharon Hesterlee, PhD, Chief Research Officer at MDA. "Our continued funding of the Healey ALS Platform Trial is a significant step forward in our ongoing mission to support cutting-edge research, enhance patient care, and advocate for the ALS community."
About the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial
The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at MGH is the coordinating center for the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial. Launched in November 2018, the center is committed to bringing together a global network of scientists, physicians, and people living with ALS to accelerate the pace of ALS therapy discovery and development.
