A major step forward towards new clinical trials for ALS was taken at the ALS/MND Gene Therapy workshop held in October in New York. Sponsored by Ride for Life, the ALS BioTeam, and the P-FUND of the University of Michigan, thirty scientists gathered for the first time specifically to explore the opportunities in current gene therapy research for ALS. The workshop was the brainchild of Christina Clark, who approached Ride For Life for funding.

Led by Dr. Eva Feldman, the University of Michigan, and Dr. Lucie Bruijn, Director of Research, the ALS Association (ALSA), the workshop drew scientists from California to New York, from Canada and England.

Two biotech companies were represented, both producers of quantity vectors (genetically engineered virus) for different delivery applications in central nervous system conditions. Presentations covered vector design and delivery, gene therapy in motor neuron disease, clinical trials, and probable therapeutic payloads for ALS.

"I thought it was a very interesting workshop and that the time is ripe for extrapolating some of the gene therapy experiments in animal studies to humans afflicted with ALS," said Dr. Martha Bohn, one of the speakers and Director of the Neurobiology Program at the Children's Memorial Institute of Northwestern University. "This is a very promising approach to this devastating disease."

"Ride For Life was pleased to support Christina Clark's efforts to encourage scientific collaboration," declared Christopher Pendergast , RFL President.

"Christina is always thinking out of the box and pushing the envelope. When researchers sit down and share ideas, patients benefit. We were glad we had the funds to help make this happen."

For further information, please contact Christina Clark, the ALS BioTeam, christina.l.clark@worldnet.att.net

Christopher Pendergast, Ride For Life
chris@rideforlife.com