Collaboration at Heart of "Strength, Science, & Stories of Inspiration" Event in Cambridge, MA

HACKENSACK, N.J., Nov. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Eric Wang, Sharif Bordbar, Albert Almada, and Chris Anselmo, colleagues from MIT, Harvard, and Boston College, together with the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD)will host the 2nd annual "Strength, Science, & Stories of Inspiration" event, on Friday, November 7, 2014, at the MIT Museum in Cambridge, MA. The event convenes stakeholders from the neuromuscular community, including patients, families, scientists, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical leaders, venture capitalists, and non-profits.

The event was started in 2013 by Eric, Sharif, and Albertresearchers at MIT and Harvard whose families are all impacted by muscular dystrophy in different ways. After meeting each other and sharing their stories, they soon realized that they represent a microcosm of relationships that exist within the muscular dystrophy community, and thought they could do more to connect other stakeholders in the Boston metropolitan areaa breeding ground for pharmaceutical companies, investors, and researchers. The three young investigators thought that the best way to move this forward would be to partner with advocacy organizations to create a networking event, bringing this thought full circle"We are elated to be hosting our second annual event at MIT with MDF and PPMD, both leaders in muscular dystrophy research and advocacy," said Eric Wang.

"We are thrilled to once again be part of such a novel event with a remarkable group of partners," said Molly White, Executive Director of the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. PPMD's Founding President and CEO Pat Furlong added, "The story of these young researchers bringing together people from all aspects of muscle disease is truly remarkable. As a rare disease community, we are most successful when we collaborate and share ideas."

"Strength, Science, & Stories of Inspiration" aims to facilitate new relationships that will accelerate development of treatments for neuromuscular diseases. The event will feature speakers from patient, researcher, and industry groups who are taking action against muscle disease. Title sponsors of the event include Isis Pharmaceuticals, Prosensa, Sarepta Therapeutics, and Valerion Therapeutics.

About Strength, Science, & Stories of Inspiration

Strength, Science, & Stories of Inspiration aims to bring together all stakeholders for muscle disease, including scientists, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, biotech/pharma leaders, venture capitalists, nonprofits, patients, families, and the general community. The event creates an opportunity to network with other partners who hold mutual interests in muscle diseases, complementary skills, and extensive networks across academic, industrial, and nonprofit spaces to discuss shared ideas and experiences.

For more information, visit http://strengthscienceandinspiration.org/

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophyour mission is to end Duchenne. Duchenne is a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs young men of their muscle strength.

We invest deeply in treatments for this generation of young men affected by Duchenne and in research that will benefit future generations. We advocate in Washington, DC, and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. We demand optimal care, and we strengthen, unite and educate the global Duchenne community.

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Collaboration at Heart of "Strength, Science, & Stories of Inspiration" Event in Cambridge, MA