1. This research PowerPoint template is good for use through July 31, For questions, please contact Amy Madsen, MDA marketing communications manager, at

2. MDA Research Update – With ALS Highlights
[Customize date.]
[MONTH XX, 2016]

3. MDA Research
Unique, big-picture perspective across neuromuscular diseases to uncover breakthroughs, treatments and cures
Knowledge and information about one disease often yields progress in others to speed urgently needed answers for families
At MDA we work to free individuals – and the families who love them – from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We achieve our mission through the 3 Cs: Cure, Care and Champion. The first of the three Cs, Cure, reflects the goals of our research program.

4. In the last five years, MDA has supported 706 grants with a total funding. commitment of $203 million.
Since inception, MDA has invested more than $1 billion in neuromuscular disease research to uncover new treatments and cures.
MDA is currently funding more than 150 active research grants in 11 countries.

5. ALS Highlights MDA is currently funding 37 active ALS research grants.
In the last five years, MDA has supported 151 ALS grants with a total funding commitment of $44.8 million.
Since 1950, MDA has invested more than $153 million in ALS research to uncover new treatments and cures.

6. Accelerating Treatments & Cures
More drugs in the pipeline
More drugs and more people in clinical trials
Effective drugs to market for patients as quickly as possible
To accelerate safe and effective treatments and cures and make options available for our families, we must:
Get more drugs into the development pipeline
Test more drugs and enroll more people into clinical trials
Move effective drugs onto the market for patients as quickly as possible.

7. Research is a pivotal cornerstone of our mission
Research Grants (RG)
Development Grants (DG)
Infrastructure Grants
Venture Philanthropy (MVP)
Clinical Trial Grants
MDA is leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to end ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases.
We invest in neuromuscular disease research through five main types of research grant:
Research Grants fund established, independent investigators.
Development Grants fund young investigators in the early stages of their careers. It’s critically important – and a point of distinction among other funding groups – that we support young researchers on the brink of becoming independent investigators with their own labs. Just as we must keep a steady flow of experimental medications moving through the development pipeline, so must we ensure that the best and brightest scientists are committed to making progress in the neuromuscular disease field.
Research Infrastructure Grants fund the development of tools, techniques or services to facilitate therapy development.
MDA Venture Philanthropy (MVP) grants fall within MDA’s drug development program, which is exclusively focused on funding the discovery and clinical application of treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases.
Clinical Trial Grants support clinical trials of repurposed drugs, trials of non-drug interventions and clinical studies performed at academic medical centers.

8. MDA funds entire spectrum of drug development
CLINICAL
PRE-CLINICAL
DISCOVERY
As a reminder, in order for a drug to reach the market, it must go through a series of three successive stages, which are intrinsically linked like gears.
In the early “Discovery” stage, scientists identify genes and biological mechanisms that underlie and drive the disease processes.
In the “Preclinical” stage, clinical studies are conducted in the laboratory using cell and animal models.
The “Clinical” phase involves testing of experimental drugs in human trial participants.
Each of these steps must be funded. MDA grants span the entire spectrum of drug development outlined here.

9. 612 applications received in 2015
2015 Grants at a Glance
103
new grants awarded in 2015
$27.3 million
in new grants in 2015
612 applications received in 2015
Receiving an MDA grant is a very competitive process.
In 2015, a record number of applications (612) were received.
103 new grants were awarded; this means only the top ~17 percent of grants were funded.
These grants represent a $27.3 million funding commitment, making MDA the largest funder of neuromuscular disease research outside the federal government..

10. MDA Winter 2016 Research Grants
In February, MDA announced its latest round of grants;
41 new research, development and research infrastructure grants
Total funding commitment of these new grants is nearly $11 million
The grants cover 13 different diseases in MDA’s program, with implications for many more
30 of the new grants are research grants; nine are development grants and two are research infrastructure grants
These grants are only made possible through the [hard work of all of our fundraisers/support of sponsors like you]. So a big thank-you goes out to all of you right now, from all of us at MDA and from all the kids and adults living with these diseases!

11. In February 2016, MDA awarded grants totaling $3
In February 2016, MDA awarded grants totaling $3.4 million to fund 13 new ALS research projects that support translational research and therapy development.
Key focus areas for these new ALS grants include:
Elucidation of underlying disease mechanisms
New drug targets and target validation
Novel approaches to gene identification
New research models
Biomarker development
New technology for tool development
Biotech involvement

12. ALS Grants in [State/Area]
[NAME] at [INSTITUTION] was awarded an MDA [RESEARCH or DEVELOPMENT] grant totaling [$XXX,XXX] over [X] years to: [ACTIVITY].
NOTE: Remove this slide if there is no new ALS research in your geographic territory.
Refer to the Winter 2016 Grants by State infographic to find out about new ALS grants awarded in your geographical area. (Visit the MDA Research Resource Center at and click on Grants.)

13. Breakthroughs in one disease fuel progress in others
LGMD
Breakthroughs in one disease fuel progress in others
So…What does our grant portfolio look like now with the new grants?
We are currently funding more than 150 grants, covering 23 different diseases in MDA’s program, with implications for many more as breakthroughs in one disease fuel progress in others.

14. Progress through Research
Research Investments
Discovery
Therapies and Cures
Our research investment is working overtime to fuel discovery and find breakthroughs that will lead to treatments and cures.
Kids and adults in hometowns across the country are counting on us.
Find out more about our specific research investments and how you can champion the cause at mda.org/research.

15. MDA’s Research Impact
MDA has impacted nearly every major advance in neuromuscular disease research.
As a result of our more than $1 billion dollars of research investments over the last 65 years, MDA is connected to nearly every major advance in neuromuscular disease research.
We couldn’t do it without your help!

16. YOU could fund “The One”
Make a donation.
Participate in an event.
Volunteer at your local MDA office, at an MDA Summer Camp or at an MDA fundraising event in your community.
Download our free MDA Amplify app on your smartphone to raise awareness on social media.
YOU can help fund the research that makes a difference. Each and every MDA grant award funds a research project that could be the one to hold the key to better outcomes, to more options, to improved quality of life and, ultimately, to treatments and cures for one or more of the many muscle-debilitating diseases in MDA’s program.
Make a donation to fund more research and care for families.
Participate in an event. From joining one of MDA’s Muscle Walks to running a half marathon on MDA Team Momentum to attending a black-tie gala, you’re sure to find an activity that inspires you from MDA’s 9,500 events nationwide.
Volunteer at your local MDA office, at an MDA Summer Camp or at an MDA fundraising event in your community.
Download our free MDA Amplify app on your smartphone from the app store to raise awareness on social media.
Every voice, every story and every dollar counts. Thank you for giving hope to MDA families and making urgently needed progress possible.