SARATOGA, Calif. & FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) and Frankfurt-based Hertie Foundation, the largest non-government funder of multiple sclerosis (MS) research in Germany, today announced a long-term partnership. Aimed at advancing the development of myelin repair therapeutics for MS into the clinic, the alliance will establish MRF’s Accelerated Research Collaboration™ (ARC™) model in Germany, and unite some of the country’s leading MS experts with MRF’s existing academic scientists, pharmaceutical industry experts and biopharma partners.
Hertie Foundation’s longstanding history of funding state-of-the-art MS research is an ideal complement to MRF’s in-depth knowledge of drug discovery and development. Under the agreement, the two organizations will establish a deep collaboration to incorporate top German scientists into the MRF research consortium, advancing promising myelin repair therapeutics to address multiple sclerosis.
“This global partnership signifies a new additional direction in our efforts to support MS research. We are collaborating with the world’s leaders, like the Myelin Repair Foundation, to maximize the patient impact of the research we support,” said Dr. h.c. Frank-J. Weise, Chairman of the Hertie Foundation. “The Myelin Repair Foundation’s innovative ARC model exemplifies a new and promising approach to drug development that better meets patient needs. This partnership positions both foundations to successfully speed promising myelin research into the clinic to improve the lives of MS patients.”
“Hertie Foundation is an ideal partner for the Myelin Repair Foundation, given its forward-thinking, patient-focused approach to accelerate drug discovery and development in Germany,” said Scott Johnson, CEO, founder and president of the Myelin Repair Foundation. “The MRF is thrilled to collaborate with our first German partner. We look forward to working with Germany’s top MS experts, both academic scientists and world-class service providers to accelerate the development of myelin repair therapeutics for MS.”
Supported by generous philanthropic donations, such as those from the Hertie Foundation as well as other foundations and individuals, the Myelin Repair Foundation is dedicated to the development of the next generation of MS therapeutics via its ARC model. Spanning the entire therapeutic development continuum, the MRF’s ARC model facilitates collaboration between key players in drug discovery to accelerate the delivery of promising compounds to patients.
About the Myelin Repair Foundation
The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) (http://www.myelinrepair.org) is a Silicon Valley-based, non-profit research organization focused on accelerating the discovery and development of myelin repair therapeutics for multiple sclerosis. Its Accelerated Research Collaboration™ (ARC™) model is designed to optimize the entire therapeutics development process for all diseases.
About the Hertie Foundation
The Hertie Foundation (http://www.ghst.de) is one of the largest foundations in Germany not connected to a company or ideology. It has assets of over 900 million euros and uses the revenues for public welfare projects. True to the wishes of its founder, Georg Karg, the Hertie Foundation takes its direction from human circumstances and the challenges facing society in the future. It is active in the areas of pre-school and school, university, the compatibility of work and family life, and neuroscience.
The Hertie Foundation is the largest private supporter of brain research in Germany and a key focus of its work is on the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. A large number of its projects deal with research into the causes of MS, while others support people living with the disease.
