SBP November Discoveries

DISCOVERIES

November 2018

Dear colleagues and friends,

This month I am proud to report that SBP has made significant progress in our mission to improve human health through scientific discovery.

Last week Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., and his team published groundbreaking research that points to a possible new treatment approach for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. And earlier this month an immune therapy co-developed by Carl Ware, Ph.D., and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) entered a Phase 1 clinical trial—a promising step forward for people who suffer from autoimmune disease.

More scientific breakthroughs are within our reach following a very successful annual fundraising gala. I want to extend a special thank-you to our trustees and donors who entrust us with their time and resources. The event’s success is a testament to their hard work and commitment to our vision.

Additionally, our scientists and staff engaged with the community as participants in Padres Pedal the Cause, which raises critical funding for local cancer research, and as hosts of our annual scientific symposium, which focused on the growing field of research called epigenetics.

Looking ahead, please join us at our February SBP Insights event, which will feature a scientist, doctor and patient discussing heart disease.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Kristiina Vuori, M.D., Ph.D.

President

Pauline and Stanley Foster Presidential Chair

Alzheimer's disease breakthrough

Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., and his team have revealed that never-before-seen DNA recombination in the brain is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The research suggests that existing medicines—FDA-approved drugs to treat HIV—might hold potential as near-term Alzheimer’s treatments. The findings also provide an explanation for why previous clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease—more than 300 in the last decade—have failed. The study was published in Nature.

Read the press release >>

Watch the discovery explained >>

EVENTS

Celebrating science at SBP’s annual gala

SBP and co-chairs Roberta Burnham, Jeanne Herberger and Debbie Turner welcomed more than 170 guests to this year's annual gala. Held at the Estancia La Jolla, attendees ate, drank and danced—all while raising essential funding that supports the important medical research taking place at SBP.

Read the San Diego Union-Tribune story >>

Eric Dudl scholarship awarded at Cancer Center Open House

Cancer researcher Gaurav Pathria, Ph.D. [photo left], received the annual award that recognizes promising early-career scientists. Pathria’s research is revealing alternate growth pathways that tumors use to become resistant to therapy. Blocking all of these routes could help patients avoid relapses—a common occurrence in melanoma.

Team SBP raises $30,000 for cancer research at Padres Pedal the Cause

SBP's team of more than 60 scientists, staff and supporters ran, walked, biked and volunteered to raise critical funding for local cancer research at the 2018 Padres Pedal the Cause fundraising event. The team joined more than 2,500 individuals, including San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who shared one vision: a world without cancer.

SCIENCE NEWS

World-renowned scientists speak at SBP symposium on epigenetics

More than 300 scientists gathered at SBP's 39th Annual Symposium to hear the latest connections between epigenetics and development, aging, and diseases such as cancer. Organized by Lorenzo Puri, M.D.; Ani Deshpande, Ph.D.; and Peter Adams, Ph.D. [left to right], the event featured speakers from Harvard, MIT, Stanford and other top institutions.

Therapy developed through SBP and Lilly collaboration enters Phase 1 clinical trial

A therapy that arose from from a research collaboration between Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) and SBP has entered a Phase 1 clinical trial. The therapy is a biologic that inhibits inflammation—a common response linked to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SBP Insights: Heart disease

SBP Insights brings together a scientist, physician and patient to share their unique perspectives on current disease treatments and promising research. Our goal is to inspire ideas, discussions and connections that may ultimately improve patients’ lives. We hope you can attend this interactive panel discussion on February 7, 2019.

PHILANTHROPY

Catalyst Club

Become part of a special community of SBP supporters by joining our new monthly giving club. You will also receive a beautiful, sleek black SBP Catalyst Club tote bag, perfect for your everyday needs.

Learn more >>

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