Eugene Williams

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and support services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. With national headquarters in Tucson, MDA has more than 200 offices across the country, sponsors some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports more than 330 research projects around the world. MDA supports more research on neuromuscular diseases than any other private-sector organization in the world. MDA scientists are in the forefront of gene therapy research and have uncovered the genetic defects responsible for several forms of muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease), childhood spinal muscular atrophy and several other neuromuscular conditions. The Association's comprehensive services program includes diagnostic and follow-up medical consultations, flu shots, support groups, MDA summer camps for youngsters, a medical equipment program, assistance with equipment repairs and resource referral. Through its national advocacy program, MDA works to make life better for people with muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases by providing representation in matters of public policy and research advancement, nationally and internationally; and facilitating active involvement in these areas by the people it serves. MDA was created in 1950 by a group of adults with muscular dystrophy, parents of children with muscular dystrophy and a physician-scientist studying the disorder. Since its earliest days, it has been energized by its number-one volunteer and national chairman, entertainer Jerry Lewis.

Akashi Therapeutics Inc is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, MA with subsidiaries in the United States. The private company has been granted orphan designation for DMD in both the US and Europe. The American company's mission is to develop treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other rare pediatric diseases. Akashi is developing a cocktail of medications with the goal of transforming Duchenne from a 100% fatal, aggressive muscle-wasting disease to a chronic, manageable condition. The application of HT-100 to DMD and other fibrotic diseases is based on pioneering work by Dr. Mark Pines at the Volcani Institute. Dosing and new patient enrollment in the phase 1b/2a clinical program have been suspended. The company was founded by leading patient organizations and biotechnology industry veterans and is managed by a seasoned team of drug development experts. The company was founded by Marc B. Blaustein, Thomas C. Wicka.

Genzyme Corp. engages in development and manufacture of specialty therapeutic, surgical and diagnostic product. It serves in the areas of rare genetic diseases, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and endocrinology. The company was founded on June 8, 1981 and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.

Bain & Co., Inc. provides management consulting services. It offers advisory services to the companies on their critical issues and opportunities: strategy, marketing, organization, operations, technology and mergers and acquisitions, across all industries and geographies. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.