Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Receives $5 Million to Fund Innovative Translational and Clinical IBD Research

NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation announced today that it received a $5 million pledge from the Litwin family to fund novel, high-risk/high-reward research ideas in the early stage of exploration that could advance the field of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) research.

Formerly known as the Broad Medical Research Program at the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, the Litwin IBD Pioneers initiative – named posthumously for Leonard Litwin, a true pioneer supporter of IBD researcher in New York and across the country– will support innovative clinical and translational research projects around the world with the potential to impact the treatment of IBD patients in the near future.

"In order to make strides toward finding IBD cures, we must fund the highest quality, innovative research possible," said Michael Osso, President &CEO of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. "We are so grateful to the Litwin family for their most generous gift that will allow us to continue supporting novel research projects from a variety of disciplines around the globe. Litwin IBD Pioneers will help bring us closer to realizing our vision of a future free of Crohn's and colitis."

"When I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, my grandfather Leonard did not hesitate in funding research seeking to better understand IBD," said Howard Swarzman. "My family is thrilled to honor his legacy by supporting the innovative research that is being conducted in the IBD field to find better treatments and cures for these debilitating digestive diseases."

Litwin IBD Pioneers will support researchers who are exploring all possible opportunities for therapeutic targets, including novel, out-of-the-box ideas. The program will have an international scope, innovative nature, and clinically relevant focus. Additionally, Litwin IBD Pioneers will be open to investigators from other disciplines new to the IBD field.

For more information about Litwin IBD Pioneers, visit http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/science-and-professionals/research/grants-fellowships/litwinibdpioneers.html

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit, voluntary, health organization dedicated to finding cures for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The Foundation's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research; providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public; and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD. For more information visit http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org, call 888-694-8872, or email [email protected].

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

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http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org