In recognition of
multiple studies connecting ALS to military service, the 2010 Defense
Appropriations Act, signed by President Obama on December 22, 2009, provided
for the grant of $1.6 million for research and development of potential
therapeutics for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease). Deemed a “service-related disorder” by the Veterans
Administration (VA) in July of 2008, ALS affects approximately 30,000 Americans
at any given time. With no robust
therapeutics currently available, those afflicted survive on average only 36
months from diagnosis. The funding
approved will be sent to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), a
non-profit, independent research center devoted to the development of
therapeutics that slow and stop progression of the fatal neurodegenerative
disease.
“This grant from the [Department of Defense], bringing their
total spent on ALS research at our Institute alone to nearly $5.5 million over
a period of five years, shows their commitment to our veterans. It is unacceptable that those stricken by the
disease, for whatever reason, including our servicemen and servicewomen
returning from war, do not have therapeutic options available. We must move faster toward providing truly
efficacious interventions for all those living with ALS today,” said Steve
Perrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer and chief scientific officer at ALS TDI.
The request for spending was sponsored by Congressman Michael
Capuano (D-MA). “Congressman Capuano and
his staff recognize the need to get out ahead of this issue. They have been champions for those veterans
who have sacrificed for our country, only to come home to face this horrible
disease. We are grateful and mindful of
the fact that they believe in ALS TDI’s ability to discover and develop
treatments for veterans and all those facing ALS,” said Carol Hamilton,
director of government affairs for ALS TDI.
Through a multi-year contract with the DOD, ALS TDI will use
the funding to advance promising therapies for ALS through its rigorous
preclinical screen model. The
preclinical drug discovery and development program at ALS TDI is made up of
several stages, including both in vitro and in vivo screening platforms. This funding will have a direct impact on the
Institute’s ability to identify, validate and advance several, potential
therapeutics toward the clinic.
Currently, the Institute has 30 projects in its active drug development
pipeline, including small molecules, gene therapeutic and biologics. The
Institute provides updates on its research efforts directly to the ALS
community through a variety of mechanisms, including a quarterly research
webcast, the next of which will be held on January 14, 2010.
“This grant is designed to move with the same sense of
urgency felt by those living with ALS today, and their families. This
direct appropriation to ALS TDI will cut down on the time it takes to get money
into the lab by avoiding many of the traditional bureaucratic obstacles, all
the while ensuring strict oversight of how this money is spent. It is
these types of investments that will ultimately get the job done for our
veterans and all others facing ALS today. This is about turning hope into
work, and we are grateful for the opportunity to follow-through on that charge,”
continued Dr. Perrin.
Of note, as well, is the support of other members of
Congress. The late Senator Edward
Kennedy provided a long-term commitment to ALS TDI, and Senator Lisa Murkowski
(R-AL), of The Senate Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Henry Brown (R-SC),
Ranking Member of the House VA Subcommittee on Health have both been very helpful in their
commitment to addressing the needs of veterans, and all citizens living with ALS.
The Institute would also like to
recognize Brigadier General Tom Mikolajcik, USAF (Ret.), who was diagnosed with
ALS in 2005, for his relentless efforts on behalf of military veterans.
Media Contact: Robert A. Goldstein, rgoldstein@als.net 617-441-7295