CARLSBAD, Calif., March 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionis
Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IONS) today announced that the company has
launched a new grant program that provides funding to U.S.-based
researchers whose work advances the understanding of transthyretin
amyloidosis (ATTR), facilitates early diagnosis and enhances
disease management of patients living with ATTR amyloidosis. The
Janice Wiesman Young Investigator Grant Program is named in honor
of Janice Wiesman, M.D. (1958-2020),
a leading global expert on the neurological impact of amyloidosis.
The program will provide two young investigators with an award of
$50,000 annually per awardee for up
to two years. It is designed to enable young investigators,
including residents, fellows and junior faculty, to gain quality
research experience in ATTR amyloidosis.
ATTR amyloidosis is a rare, progressive and fatal disease that
occurs when there is a buildup of abnormal (misfolded)
transthyretin protein in the body's tissues and/or organs. Most
commonly it affects the peripheral nerves, heart, intestinal tract,
eyes and kidneys. The progressive accumulation of amyloid deposits
in the nerves leads to sensory, motor and autonomic dysfunction
often having debilitating effects on multiple aspects of a
patient's life.
"We are proud to establish the Janice Wiesman Young Investigator
Grant program, an important initiative to help increase our
understanding of transthyretin amyloidosis and, ultimately, to
better serve patients and families living with this devastating
rare disease," said Brett P. Monia,
Ph.D., Ionis' chief executive officer. "We are also honored to
commemorate the life and work of Dr. Wiesman, who I had the
pleasure of working with and who over the years demonstrated a
remarkable commitment to advancement of the field. Her
contributions to the amyloid community have left an indelible
impact."
"As Janice's husband, I saw first-hand how much her work in the
amyloid community meant to her, not only professionally, in her
role as a neurologist with the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University, but personally, as she
participated in countless patient support group meetings and got to
know other specialists and individual patients over the years,"
said Dr. Wiesman's husband, John
Mannion. "Having worked for so long when little could be
offered to people with this very rare condition, she was thrilled
by the new and effective treatments developed through the brilliant
work of scientists and clinicians like the ones to be supported by
the Young Investigator Grant. I know that she would be as
pleased as her daughter Hannah and I, and would feel truly honored
that it is named for her."
Researchers at eligible academic or nonprofit institutions in
the U.S. are encouraged to submit innovative research proposals in
the areas of translational, clinical, or applied research related
to ATTR. Details about the program including criteria and
application instructions can be found at
https://www.ionispharma.com/akcea/health-care-professionals/the-janice-wiesman-young-investigator-grant-program/.
The deadline for applications is Friday,
April 2, 2021.
March is Amyloidosis Awareness Month, an opportunity to drive
attention to the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis.
During this month, patient organizations across the country and
around the world will hold awareness-raising activities to bring
attention to this debilitating, rare disease.
ABOUT IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
For more than 30 years, Ionis has been the leader in
RNA-targeted therapy, pioneering new markets and changing standards
of care with its novel antisense technology. Ionis currently has
three marketed medicines and a premier late-stage pipeline
highlighted by industry-leading neurological and cardiometabolic
franchises. Our scientific innovation began and continues with the
knowledge that sick people depend on us, which fuels our vision of
becoming one of the most successful biotechnology
companies.
To learn more about Ionis visit www.ionispharma.com and follow
us on Twitter @ionispharma.
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SOURCE Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.