Conquer MG is excited to share news that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a team at the George Washington University (GW) $7.8 million to establish a rare disease network for myasthenia gravis. Conquer MG will join scientists and physicians from academic institutions, other patient advocacy groups, and biotech/pharma companies, to better understand and treat MG.
The MG Network will be led by Henry Kaminski, MD (GW) and will be part of 25 established NIH Rare Diseases Clinical Research Networks.
Conquer MG has made a commitment ($50,000 per year for at least two years) to fund pilot projects through the network that explore MG’s underlying pathogenesis and treatment. The commitment from Conquer MG, as well as that of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), was a key factor in showing the support of the MG Community for the project – which the NIH stated was an essential part of its criteria for funding.
Conquer MG’s Medical Advisory Chair Betty Soliven, MD, University of Chicago, will serve on the pilot grant review committee. Conquer MG also looks forward to offering the network a patient-focused perspective, and will help promote the network’s research initiatives with patients.
The MGNet logo was designed in teal, the color that represents MG. The image reflects the neuromuscular junction, with its uneven peaks and valleys. And the text “shadow” alludes to double vision that is so often the first symptom of MG.
Click to read the GW’s press release explaining more about MGNet.
Click here to access the request for application for fellowships and pilot grants.