The annual ALS TDI Summit, hosted by the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), is a unique opportunity for the ALS community to learn first-hand about the newest developments in ALS research. The conference will begin with members of the ALS TDI science team providing updates on ALS TDI’s current research to end ALS.

In the afternoon, we will welcome several leaders from across the ALS research and drug development community to share updates about new research, treatments in the clinical pipeline, and more. This year’s exciting lineup of guest speakers include:

James Larrick, M.D, Ph.D. Co-founder and Managing Partner, Corsalex 

Dr. James Larrick is a biomedical entrepreneur with an international reputation in biotechnology. He has developed expertise in cytokines, therapeutic antibodies, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical drug development over his thirty-five-year career, and he has written or co-authored nine books, published over 300 papers/chapters, and submitted more than fifty patents.

Corsalex is a joint initiative between Panorama Research Inc. and KCK Ltd., a family investment fund specifically equipped to finance the development of promising therapies for C9orf72-related ALS and FTD. Under the leadership of Dr. Larrick and co-founder Piero Mendez, the company aims to develop impactful interventions for these devastating diseases.

ALS TDI and Corsalex recently announced a partnership to meticulously test and validate Corsalex's discoveries, aimed at C9orf72-related ALS, within our own state-of-the-art lab.

Stephanie M. Fradette, Pharm.D.Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development, Biogen

Dr. Stephanie Fradette is a Senior Medical Director in Clinical Development at Biogen where she leads the Neuromuscular Portfolio. She led the development of the first approved therapy for a genetic form of ALS, which supported significant advancement of neurofilament as a biomarker and optimization of clinical trial design in ALS. Prior to her work in ALS, Dr. Fradette supported the development of the first approved therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).  


James Berry, M.D, M.P.H. Associate Chief of Neuro-therapeutics and Chief of the Division of ALS and Motor Neuron Diseases, MGH 

Dr. James is the Winthrop Family Scholar in ALS Sciences, the Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) multidisciplinary ALS clinic and Chief of the Division of ALS and Motor Neuron Diseases.

As an ALS researcher, Dr. Berry designs, oversees, and carries out trials at MGH and centers across the country. His work is focused on the identification of markers of ALS in blood and spinal fluid, with an emphasis on markers of abnormal inflammation. He collaborates broadly with researchers around the globe on these biomarker efforts. He is also actively working to develop mobile health and digital phenotyping methods to better understand ALS and hasten the development of new therapies, while reducing the burden of trial participation for people with ALS.

Dr. Berry is also the Director of the MGH Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI) and Director of the Mass General Brigham Neurodegenerative Clinical Research Fellowship. He is a member of the Massachusetts ALS Registry team and CDC/ATSDR National ALS Registry and Biorepository Expert Panels. In addition, he is on the Executive Committee of the NEALS Consortium, a national organization for ALS clinical researchers, where he also leads the NEALS Biorepository and Technology in ALS subcommittee.

ALS TDI Speakers

In addition to our guest presenters, the summit will also feature presentations from ALS TDI researchers and staff, including:

  • Fernando Vieira M.D. CEO and Chief Scientific Officer 
  • Theo Hatzipetros, Ph.D. Director of Pharmacology 
  • Kyle Denton, Ph.D. Director, Cell Biology 
  • Alan Premasiri, M.S. Senior Manager, Clinical Operations
  • Nadia Sethi, D.D.S. Director of Community Engagement and Outreach 

Register to Attend the Summit!

This year’s ALS TDI Summit will take place on October 27th at the Boston Sheraton Hotel. Those unable to attend in person will be able to register to live stream the event online. Registration for both online and in-person attendees is free of charge. For more information about attending the ALS TDI Summit, visit https://fundraise.als.net/alssummit/.

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