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MIT / CAP Partnership – Our Chance to Change the Direction of Parkinson’s Research

Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson’s (CAP) is embarking on an ambitious partnership with The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In April, CAP approached MIT, specifically Dr. Robert Langer, with a very lofty goal to try to spur the “Edison of Medicine” to take a chance at finding a Cure or disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s disease. After several meetings, and beyond our wildest dreams, Dr. Langer and Langer LabDr. Ann Graybiel and The McGovern Institute (for Brain Research at MIT), together with Dr. Michael Cima from the Koch Institute at MIT, have agreed to conduct research on behalf of CAP. 

You may be asking why MIT is doing this research for CAP. The simple answer is that we asked in a compelling way.  Dr. Langer is a very altruistic individual and wants to help our cause, and they believe wholeheartedly that they can make a difference.

In conjunction with his colleagues, a team of researchers will be assembled to do “something transformative.”  MIT will take what they have learned about Parkinson’s, both directly and indirectly, and put together a world-class team of 6-8 postdoctoral researchers and scientists and five graduate students to carry out highly cross-disciplinary research in developing advanced implantable devices and analytical tools, designing drugs and delivery methods, and rodent and primate physiology. The research will be led by three MIT world–renowned Professors, Institute Professors Dr. Robert Langer and Dr. Ann Graybiel, and Dr.  Michael Cima.

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CAP Co-founder Steve DeWitte, Dr. Ann Graybiel, Dr. Robert Langer, CAP Chair Karl Hespeler.

Dr. Langer is one of the world’s most accomplished scientists.  Dr. Langer is held in the highest possible regard in the field of scientific research. With his researchers, he has written over 1400 articles and over 1340 issued and pending patents worldwide. Their patents have been licensed or sublicensed to over 350 pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. Dr. Graybiel is a leader in Parkinson’s research and a national and world recognized scientist.  She has been awarded The National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest Science Honor.  Dr. Cima holds the David H. Koch Chair of Engineering at MIT and brings years of experience and accolades in research and drug development for single compartment drug delivery and device engineering.

As is well known, conducting Scientific Research is very expensive. CAP will need to help raise millions of dollars. As a Parkinson’s community, we can’t wait any longer for new therapies or a cure.  Partnering with MIT has the potential to change the course of Parkinson’s’ research. 

On CAP’s behalf, MIT has put together the Dream Team” of research.   A very strong probability of Finding Disease-Modifying Treatments lies in front of usCAP and the entire Parkinson’s community need to mobilize. We need to take control of our destiny.

There are very few times your life that you can be part of something that is life changing. This is one of those times.

Become part of something extraordinary and help leave a legacy.  In the coming months, CAP will ask for your support.  If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s, please help CAP in this extraordinary effort.   My wife Michelle was diagnosed with Parkinson’s twelve years ago. I refuse to wait any longer for a Cure. As CAP’s Chairman and Michelle’s husband, I am committed to a successful outcome.  Please join me! 

Warm Regards,


 


Karl C. Hespeler
Chairman 
860-490-0251
Karl@Parkinsonsct.org

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