Foundations

Increasingly, NGOs and disease foundations are making capitalinvestments in therapeutic companies. In our efforts to inform attendees and create a stronger patient focused industry, CALBIO2012 offers a unique NGO/Foundation Presentation track.

Key disease foundation officers provide a 20-minute presentation to CALBIO2012 attendees on the foundation’s platform focus, key programs and research initiatives, funding and collaboration opportunies and the best way for companies to approach the organization.

	10:00am – 10:20am: The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) is a Silicon Valley-based, non-profit research organization focused on accelerating the discovery and development of myelin repair therapeutics for multiple sclerosis. MRF’s Accelerated Research Collaboration™ (ARC™) model is designed to optimize the entire process of medical research, drug development and the delivery of patient treatments. To date, MRF-supported research has identified more than 150 potential myelin repair treatment targets and the discovery of 24 new research tools to advance research for potential multiple sclerosis therapeutics. In order to advance basic science to commercialization, the MRF Translational Medicine Center led by MRF scientists with extensive biopharma experience moving therapeutics into clinical trials, is a laboratory facility dedicated to the evaluation of promising myelin research as potential multiple sclerosis candidates for MRF biopharma partners. The goal of the MRF is to provide a clear industry pathway from bench to bedside by leveraging its position as a non-partisan, non-profit organization to shorten the time to market for new medicines for patients who can’t afford to wait. Speaker Jay Tung, PhD Vice President of Drug Discovery
	10:25am – 10:45am: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $270 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. Now through December 31, 2012, all new and increased giving to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, as well as gifts from donors who have not given since 2009 or earlier, will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge, launched by Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki. Speaker Tracey Mumford Associate Director, Research Partnerships
	10:50am – 11:10am: Fast Forward Fast Forward is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National MS Society established as a translational model to rapidly address critical challenges in drug discovery and development in multiple sclerosis. It is devoted to bridging the gap between research and drug development by providing critical funding, connecting industry and academic thought leaders with financial resources and expertise, and engaging biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies – speeding the process of commercialized treatments for the more than 2 million people worldwide living with MS. Fast Forward invests in commercial organizations through the General Fund and Collaborative Fund. The General Fund is open to early stage companies engaged in development of innovative MS therapies; diagnostic or prognostic tools for management of the disease. Fast Forward also supports early stage MS drug development programs through a strategic alliance with EMD Serono. Each year Fast Forward will issue a request for proposals in a specific topic area and select up to 8 projects to fund. Under the terms of the collaboration, EMD Serono will have an exclusive option to in-license funded programs. Speaker Gilbert R. Mintz, Ph.D. Managing Director
	11:45am – 12:05pm: EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases Dedicated to accelerating biotech innovation for rare disease treatments through science-driven public policy. Our Rare Disease Workshop Series brings top scientists from industry, academia, FDA and NIH to build the regulatory science needed to develop alternative statistical designs models for clinical trials and achievable qualification criteria for surrogate endpoints and biomarkers. With our CureTheProcess Campaign Partners, we worked with Congress to introduce H.R. 3737, the Unlocking Lifesaving Treatments for Rare diseases Act of 2012 or ULTRA to improve access to the FDA’s Accelerated Approval process for very rare diseases. The Foundation also supports RareArtst.org, EveryLife Art Contest, Rare Disease Legislative Advocates, North American Metabolic Academy(SIMD’s NAMA), Global Genes Fund and other initiatives that build the Rare Disease community. We can do more with the science we already have and bring life saving treatments to millions of people suffering from rare diseases. No disease is too rare to deserve treatment. Speaker Julia Jenkins Director of Public & Government Relations
	12:15pm – 12:25pm: Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) is a public charity formed under the auspices of the Milken Institute, with the generous founding support of Debra and Leon Black. It supports an international, cross-disciplinary group of biomedical researchers possessing clinical and scientific expertise to explore, identify and pursue innovative solutions to critical research questions, leading to better treatments and a cure for melanoma patients. In its first four year, MRA has awarded over $30 million to 73 research programs to make transforming advances in the prevention, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of melanoma, including research in biological causes of carcinogenesis, skin screening, biomarkers, imaging, immunotherapy, molecularly targeted therapy, and combination therapy. MRA has become the largest private funder of melanoma research in the United States. Speaker Wendy Selig President and CEO
	12:30pm – 12:50pm: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) CIRM was established in November 2004 with the passage of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act. The statewide ballot measure, which provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions, was overwhelmingly approved by voters, and called for the establishment of an entity to make grants and provide loans for stem cell research, research facilities, and other vital research opportunities. A list of grants and loans awarded to date may be seen here: http://www.cirm.ca.gov/for-researchers/researchfunding. Speaker Elona Baum General Counsel
	2:45pm – 3:05pm: FasterCures FasterCures is not just our name — it’s our mission. We are an “action tank” that works to improve the medical research system— so that we can speed up the time it takes to get important new medicines from discovery to patients. We have a number of laser-focused, high-impact programs that allow us to educate stakeholders about the barriers, amplify solutions that could pave the way to progress, and create opportunities for key leaders to come together and find solutions. FasterCures, the Milken Institute’s Center for Accelerating Medical Solutions, is nonpartisan and not affiliated with interest groups. For more information, visit www.fastercures.org. Speaker Melissa Stevens Deputy Executive Director
	3:10pm – 3:30pm: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS’s goal in establishing its collaborations with biotech companies is to help accelerate the development of treatments that have the potential to change the standard of care for patients with all types of blood cancers. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world in industry and academia. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572 for free patient information, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org. Speaker Allison Formal Vice President, Research Business Development
	3:35pm – 3:55pm: Critical Path Institute Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is an independent, non-profit organization committed to improving health and saving lives by accelerating the development of safe, effective medicines. An international leader in forming collaborations around this mission, C-Path has established global, public-private partnerships that currently include over 1,000 scientists from government regulatory agencies, academia, patient advocacy organizations, and thirty five major pharmaceutical companies. C-Path is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with an office in Rockville, Maryland. Speaker Diane Stephenson, PhD Associate Director, Coalition Against Major Diseases
	4:15PM – 4:35PM: Partnership for Compassionate Use Therapies (PCUT) Partnership for Compassionate Use Therapies (PCUT) is dedicated to increasing the number of near-term treatment options for patients of quick-killer diseases with unmet medical need. The group’s objective is to enable clinical development of existing drugs that show promise in this class of diseases. PCUT works with researchers, patient advocates and disease specific foundations to identify agents with disease-modifying potential. The organization then licenses those products for clinical trial in the appropriate indication and promotes commercial partnerships to undertake each venture. PCUT is currently pursuing three drug repurposing projects in the neurodegenerative disease space. In addition to getting more drugs into the clinic, we also promote expanded access programs (“compassionate use”) for drugs that are in clinical trials but are not yet available to the majority of patients. Please visit us at www.PCUT.org. Speaker Jess Rabourn, CFA Founder and Co-Director
	4:40PM – 5:00PM: Alzheimer’s Association The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research. Our vision: A world without Alzheimer’s disease. Our mission: To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. http://www.alz.org Speaker Jay A. Thompson Senior Associate Director, Corporate Initiatives Alzheimer’s Association