Jeffrey Modell Foundation Awards $1 Million for Translational Research

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Sep 16, 2014, 10:30 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, over $1 million dollars were awarded for translational research by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF), a global non-profit organization dedicated to early diagnosis, appropriate treatments and public awareness of genetic immune deficiency diseases, known as Primary Immunodeficiencies (PI).

Jeffrey Modell Foundation (PRNewsFoto/Jeffrey Modell Foundation)

Primary Immunodeficiency affects as many as 10 million people worldwide and most patients are undiagnosed and untreated. As knowledge of causative genes expands and genomics technology is becoming more readily available and cost effective, translational research is bridging basic science and clinical applications to impact overall health outcomes. The understanding of the immune system represents one of the single greatest disease-fighting strategies that biomedical science has to offer, and will greatly benefit those identified with the disorder and the millions that remain undiagnosed.

JMF created the Translational Research Program to support research contributing to the advancement of knowledge, understanding, and treatment of PI and, ultimately, cures. JMF awards physicians and scientists who are prominent in their field with vast expertise in PI, from countries all over the world.

JMF received 42 high level applications from investigators in 15 countries in response to the research program. Grants were reviewed, evaluated and scored by JMF's prestigious peer-reviewed research committee. Special emphasis focused on novel Primary Immunodeficiency defects, innovative approaches for early diagnosis, treatment advances to a cure and overall impact on patient health. Five grants were awarded to leading centers in Boston, Washington DC, France, Israel, and Italy.

According to Vicki Modell, Co-Founder of JMF, "We are fully committed to support physicians involved in groundbreaking and state-of-the-art research. We are passionately committed to advance our understanding of these defects. JMF supports these experts so that we can advance clinical progress and help families affected by Primary Immunodeficiency receive optimal care."

"No other organization is dedicating their resources to the extent that we are. Timing is crucial and our goal is to bring transformative treatments and cures from bench to bedside," said JMF Co-Founder, Fred Modell.

About Jeffrey Modell Foundation
Vicki and Fred Modell established the Jeffrey Modell Foundation in 1987, in memory of their son Jeffrey, who died at the age of fifteen from complications of Primary Immunodeficiency -- a genetic condition that is chronic, serious, and often fatal.

JMF is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to early diagnosis, meaningful treatments and, ultimately, cures through research, physician education, public awareness, advocacy, patient support, and newborn screening. The Jeffrey Modell Centers Network (JMCN) includes 556 physicians at 234 academic institutions in 196 cities and 78 countries spanning 6 continents and growing.

For more information about PI, visit www.info4pi.org or email the Jeffrey Modell Foundation at [email protected].

Media Contacts:
Vicki Modell, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, (212) 819-0200
Fred Modell, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, (212) 819-0200

Related Link
www.INFO4PI.org

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SOURCE Jeffrey Modell Foundation