DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Sept. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) today announced a $5.8 million grant from the Marnier-Lapostolle Foundation, to be funded over the next twelve months, for development of therapeutic candidates to treat Angelman Syndrome (AS), a rare but debilitating disorder which impacts 1 in 15,000 individuals. The gift aims to accelerate the path to clinical trials and ultimately FDA approval in order to bring a cure to the children and families affected by this disorder.
"Angelman Syndrome, a monogenetic, neurological disorder, is the premier candidate for gene therapy intervention," said Paula Evans, Chairperson of FAST. "This extraordinary gift from the Marnier-Lapostolle Foundation will allow us to validate our proof-of-concept studies and move them through the development pipeline more rapidly."
FAST has instituted a bold, two-year plan to advance frontline discoveries through preclinical development with a particular focus on gene therapy and gene editing technologies.
"Although Angelman Syndrome is a rare disorder, the causative gene has been shown to be involved in more common disorders such as Autism, Alzheimer's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)," said Allyson Berent, Chief Science Officer for FAST. "It is our hope that this significant gift from the Marnier-Lapostolle Foundation will have a tremendous impact on all neurological disorders."
"This unprecedented donation from the Marnier-Lapostolle Foundation is the largest, private gift ever made to Angelman Syndrome-specific research. On behalf of every parent of a child with AS, we are enormously grateful to the foundation for their generosity and investment in our mission," added Paula Evans.
About Angelman Syndrome
Angelman Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by developmental delays, epilepsy, and problems with motor coordination and balance. Individuals with AS do not develop functional speech. The seizure disorder in individuals with Angelman Syndrome can be difficult to treat. Feeding disorders in infancy are common, and some persist throughout childhood. Sleeping difficulties are commonly noted in individuals with Angelman Syndrome. AS affects all races and both genders equally and occurs in approximately one in 15,000 births. For more information about Angelman Syndrome, please visit www.CureAngelman.org.
About FAST
FAST is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization narrowly focused on funding research that holds the greatest promise of treating Angelman Syndrome. FAST is the largest, non-governmental funder of Angelman specific research.
To learn more about FAST's mission and funding priorities, or to make a donation towards FAST's research program visit www.CureAngelman.org.
About Marnier-Lapostolle Foundation
The Marnier-Lapostolle Foundation is devoted to funding health care research in the United States.
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SOURCE Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST)
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