$1M donation to support autism research powered by open science
Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation shares The Neuro’s open science vision to accelerate drug discovery and find new and effective treatments for autism spectrum disorders
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects a growing number of Canadians. A generous donation from the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation will create a new partnership between researchers at The Neuro and the University of British Columbia (UBC), who will collaborate to advance drug discovery in ASD in an open science framework. The aim of the donation is to help scientists generate ASD research data that will be shared globally.
Inspired by the promise of the global open science movement and leadership role of The Neuro, The Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Drug Discovery Fund will support the development of new expertise in autism research in The Neuro’s Open Drug Discovery Platform. Researchers in the platform have proven expertise in working with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and developing assays to screen for promising targets for drug therapies. Now this promising new avenue of discovery will be applied to autism spectrum disorders.
As part of The Neuro’s open science policy, data produced by The Neuro and UBC scientists through this partnership will be shared so that the worldwide community of researchers can use the data to develop therapies for ASD. This will ensure this work has the maximum chance of leading to concrete breakthroughs in the treatment of ASD.
Autism research is a major priority for The Neuro. Scientists have a lot to learn about what causes autism, specifically what role genes and environment play in the development of the disorder. Effective treatments for its often-debilitating effects are lacking. This donation will strengthen our knowledge of autism, helping autistic people lead better lives.
“I first became aware of the seriousness of ASD when a good friend’s daughter was given the painful diagnosis of severe autism more than 20 year ago,” says Hamid Eshghi, President of the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation. “Since that time, I have learned of many similar stories and, have come to learn that, while many more children are being diagnosed with ASD in recent years than in the past, there remains little understanding of the disorder, its causes, and effective treatments.”
“We are proud of our relationship with McGill and The Neuro, and it pleases us to announce this first significant gift outside the province of British Columbia. It is also very gratifying to know that the research carried out at The Neuro will be shared with the scientists at the University of British Columbia.”
“The support of the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation is pivotal, with an impact far beyond The Neuro. It is the beginning of a new partnership in open science,” says Dr. Guy Rouleau, Director of The Neuro. “Thanks to this donation, we will be better equipped to harness important insights and increase the pace of drug discovery for the benefit of millions of people around the world living with ASD - as well as their families.”
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. Based on 2015 data, it is estimated that 1 in 66 Canadian children and youth ages 5-17 have been diagnosed with ASD.
About The Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation
Djavad Mowafaghian, an Iranian industrialist, immigrated to Vancouver and founded the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation in 2003 with the objective of improving the quality of the lives of everyone, but with particular focus on the health and education of children.
Since its inception, the Foundation has sponsored several capital projects in British Columbia which include universities, hospitals and day care facilities.
Djavad’s love of the Vancouver area led him to support many local initiatives. His concern for children everywhere led him to support several international organizations.
The Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation emulates the mission, passion, vision and spirit of its founder to inspire breakthroughs that results in immediate and lasting changes that are in the best interests of children.
About the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital of McGill University
The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – The Neuro – is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical center in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world’s top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. In 2016, The Neuro became the first institute in the world to fully embrace the Open Science philosophy, creating the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. The Montreal Neurological Institute is a McGill University research and teaching institute. The Montreal Neurological Hospital is part of the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre. For more information, please visit www.theneuro.ca
