Cambridge Biolink

Neurodegenerative Diseases: Understanding the Problem, Engineering Solutions

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT

Please join us for an informal wine and cheese reception with colleagues, followed by presentations.

Opening Keynote:
Peter St. George-Hyslop, MD, a pioneer in the field of Alzheimer’s genetics
Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow, University of Cambridge

Panel Presenters:
Mark Frasier, PhD, Associate Director, Team Leader, Research Programs
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Johan Luthman, PhD, Vice President and Franchise Integrator, Neuroscience & Ophthalmology R&D

Merck Research Laboratories
Introductory Remarks from Robert Desimone , PhD, Director McGovern Institute

Moderator:
Charles Jennings, PhD, Director Neurotechnology Program,
McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT

For neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the path from basic scientific discoveries to
new treatments for patients is far from straightforward. Complex pathophysiology, poor preclinical models, a lack of
reliable biomarkers, and expensive clinical trials all impede progress towards new therapies.

Three leading experts on neurodegenerative disease will review the state of the field and discuss ways in which academia, nonprofit organizations and industry can come together to accelerate progress from the lab to the clinic and the marketplace.

Topics including: Genetic risk factors and the cellular/molecular mechanisms that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, innovative funding models to resource segments of the drug-development pipeline and enabling technologies, systems-based solutions, and opportunities for collaboration.

Program Organizers: Pearl Freier, Cambridge BioPartners, Hilary Glidden PhD, UK Trade & Investment, Charles Jennings PhD, McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Laura Maliszewski PhD, Office for Science and
Innovation, British Consulate-General Boston

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