Cure for MND 'could be possible' says expert after Doddie Weir charity launches research strategy

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A cure for motor neurone disease (MND) could be "possible" as a charity launched by Doddie Weir unveils its five-year research strategy, a leading expert has said.

The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation (MNDF), which was set by up in 2017 by the late Scottish rugby player, outlines how the charity will invest millions of pounds into research in pursuit of treatments and a cure for the debilitating disease.Doddie, who died in November following a six-year battle with MND, launched the charity in frustration at the lack of a cure and hope for those diagnosed with the condition.

But now, the strategy will be used to strengthen the charity's short-term aim of delivering effective treatments to slow the progress of MND, while working towards the ultimate goal of finding a complete cure.The Catalysis a Cure strategy outlines how the charity will drive forward research over the next five years with a commitment by 2028 to have invested in the development of new treatments and improving early diagnosis.

It will also improve biomarkers which indicate whether treatments are working or not.MNDF has committed around £8.5million to research and was also one of several UK organisations to successfully campaign for a UK Government commitment of £50million for MND research.Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi, director of the MND Research Centre at King's College London, hailed the "crucial" funding.