My Name’5 Doddie Foundation boosts MND research fund by half a million pounds

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is pouring £½ million into a fund established by LifeArc and the MND Association to co-fund research aimed at realising effective motor neuron disease treatments more quickly.

As a result, the Translational Research Fund has now topped £1.5 million – money that will support MND research projects focused on developing new therapies or repurposing drugs already approved for other conditions. Each charity has contributed £½ million to the fund.

It is hoped that this cash injection will deliver promising results that can secure follow-on funding and progress to clinical trials for those living with MND.

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is committed to investing in the translational research space and providing the tools for scientists to bring meaningful treatments to patients as soon as possible. This partnership with the MND Association and LifeArc, an independent medical research charity, brings combined expertise, experience and funding to make a greater impact for the MND community.

Doddie Weir, Founder of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “With no effective treatments and no cure for MND, this fund gives hope that something can be found soon for those living with MND like myself. Researchers in the UK and Ireland are already making good progress, but urgently need funding to take the science out of the labs and into clinical trials. We are excited to be teaming up with LifeArc and the MND Association who share our vision, and hope this £1.5m fund will make a real difference.”

Dr Brian Dickie, Director of Research Development at the MND Association, said: “Our understanding of the causes of MND has improved dramatically over the last two decades but the biggest challenge remains: to turn this knowledge into effective treatments. We believe MND is not incurable, but it is underfunded, so we are delighted that through the three charities teaming up, we are able to ensure our own £½ million contribution, raised by Kevin Sinfield during his ‘7 in 7 Challenge’ inspired by his team-mate and friend, Rob Burrow, will be used to maximum effect.”

Dr Melanie Lee CBE, LifeArc’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasised that the focus of the new funding is on boosting research around potential treatment options based on the latest understanding of the disease. She said: “The expanded fund will help to bridge the gap between fundamental research into MND disease mechanisms and the search for practical treatments. It means we can support more research grant applications of the highest quality with the greatest potential to make a difference to the lives of those living with MND.

“Our partnership with My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the MND Association is the latest in a series of strategic partnerships that maximise LifeArc’s expertise in translating strong discoveries from the lab into potentially life-changing treatments or diagnostics for patients.”