Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Receives Marathon Pharmaceuticals Grant for Duchenne Centers
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Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), a non-profit organization fighting to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), recently announced that Marathon Pharmaceuticals will support the organization’s ongoing Certified Duchenne Care Center (CDCC) Program with a new grant.
“We recognize that the Duchenne community needs the kind of comprehensive services and support provided by the Certified Duchenne Care Center Program,” said Jeff Aronin, Marathon Pharmaceuticals’ CEO in a press release. “We’re pleased to support this innovative program, as part of our ongoing commitment to improving the care and experience of those with Duchenne.”
The announcement was made at PPMD’s 22nd Annual Connect Conference, June 26-28, in Orlando.
The grant will help provide additional resources to improve patient care and patient recruitment for clinical trials through the centers.
“When PPMD launched our Certified Duchenne Care Center Program two years ago, our initial aim was to recognize outstanding centers that were treating patients and families living with Duchenne,” said Pat Furlong, PPMD’s Founding President and CEO. “Now that we have 11 CDCCs, with plans to certify 4-6 more by year-end, we want to make sure that the CDCCs are continuing to lead the community in harmonized, optimal care.
Furlong said the grant from Marathon Pharmaceuticals make a significant impact in plans to take the care center program to the next level toward identifying and addressing gaps in Duchenne care and research, and expanding reach into communities.
In 2012, the PPMD brought gathered 17 institutions, including parent and advocacy representatives, at its first Transforming Duchenne Care Initiative (TDCI) meeting, which in 2014 evolved into CDCC. In 2016, the network of certified centers across the United States offers standardized comprehensive care and clinical services to patients with DMD and their families.
Kathi Kinnet, PPMD’s senior vice president of clinical care and co-Director of TDCI said the community’s response to the program has been tremendous.
“Families have come to rely on our certification as an indication that these centers are the best of the best. We will continue to certify more centers across the country, recognizing teams of physicians for their leadership in Duchenne care and enabling families to make the best choice for the care of their child,” Kinnett said.
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