CAMBRIDGE, MA & PHILADELPHIA, PA – July 25, 2017 – The ALS Therapy Development Institute and the ALS Hope Foundation announced today they are serving as local co-hosts of the 25th Annual Meeting of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, the 15th Annual Allied Health Professionals Forum and the 28th International Symposium on ALS/MND Research in Boston December 5 – 10, 2017.

The meetings are organized annually by the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. A competitive application process is used to determine where the meetings will be held. This year is the first time that two US-based ALS organizations applied to be local co-hosts together.

“This is the most important science meeting in the world for ALS researchers,” said Steve Perrin, Ph.D., CEO & CSO of the ALS Therapy Development Institute. “This is where big ideas are shared and new collaborations start. I hope local biotechnology, medical and science communities, and importantly, our passionate, local ALS community will take full advantage of this meeting being right here in Boston this year.”

“We are proud to be co-hosts of these meetings. Not only do they showcase advancements in ALS/MND research, but they also serve to underscore the importance of collaboration between scientists, health care professionals, and organizations committed to fighting ALS/MND. This can only accelerate our progress toward understanding and treating this disease”, said Terry Heiman-Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder and president of the ALS Hope Foundation, Director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders at Temple Health and Director of the MDA/ALS Center of Hope at Temple University.

People with ALS and those who care for them are invited to attend a complimentary “PALS & CALS Lunch” at 1PM on December 6 at the Westin Waterfront, where they can meet others from across the US and the world. A special “Ask the Experts” session designed specifically for patients and families will follow. For more information about either of these events specifically designed for people with ALS and their families, email letstalk@als.net.

Conference Schedule:

  • December 5 & 6 – Annual Meeting of International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations
  • December 6 – PALS & CALS Lunch followed by “Ask the Experts” Panel Discussion
  • December 7 – Allied Health Professionals Forum
  • December 8, 9 & 10 – International Symposium on ALS/MND Research

Full programs and registration information are available online at www.alsmndalliance.org/alsmndmeetings/.

For more information on what ALS/MND is, please visit https://www.als.net/what-is-als/.

Boston-based media should contact pr@als.net to arrange a day pass and also secure interviewee slots in the busy daily conference schedule.

Any research focused media bodies or individuals wishing to be considered for a limited number of three day symposium press passes should contact the MND Association - symposium@mndassocation.org by the end of September.

 

About the ALS Therapy Development Institute

The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and its scientists actively discover and develop treatments for ALS. It is the world’s first and largest nonprofit biotech focused 100 percent on ALS research. Led by people with ALS and drug development experts, ALS TDI understands the urgent need to slow and stop this disease.

Based in Cambridge, MA, ALS TDI has over 30 full-time, industry trained, drug development experts on staff. ALS TDI is internationally recognized as a leader in optimizing preclinical models of neurodegeneration for clinical translation, and partners with pharmaceutical and biotech companies around the world. Rated a CharityNavigator.com four-star charity, ALS TDI spends 87% of each dollar raised on research to find an effective treatment and cure. Visit www.als.net.

About ALS Hope Foundation

The ALS Hope Foundation was founded in 1999 by Terry Heiman-Patterson, MD, and Jeffrey Deitch, PhD. It provides funding for the MDA/ALS Center of Hope and the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at Temple University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. The Foundation supports educational events including the Allied Professional Forum at the International Symposium and has been a member of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations since 2001. We are honored to have spent more than 15 years serving the ALS community and are committed to continuing our work until there is a cure.

About the MND Association

The MND Association was founded in 1979 by a group of volunteers with experience of living with or caring for someone with ALS/MND. We are the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on care, research and campaigning, with a membership of more than 9,000 people helping to strengthen our voice. The Association has organized the annual International Symposium on ALS/MND since its inception in 1990.

About the International Alliance

The International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations was founded in 1992 to provide an international community for individual ALS/MND associations from around the world. Today, we have more than 60 member associations representing over 50 countries. Our vision is to engage with our members, prospective members and other organisations to share resources globally and advance awareness. Together, we are working to improve quality of life and care for people with ALS/MND worldwide.