The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine has awarded Professor Jan Smeitink of Khondrion, (www.khondrion.nl) a company of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (RUNMC) in The Netherlands a $50,000 grant to augment his three-year research project to develop a novel therapy for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases, specifically targeting Leigh’s disease, MELAS, LHON and Friedrich Ataxia. 

The funding by the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine will enable Smeitink and his research partners to use their specific and complementary expertise in developing new effective compounds to treat mitochondrial diseases. Dr. Smeitink's current research project aims to generate new compounds directed at novel drug targets. The project was also awarded a Eurostars Grant through the Eurostars Program, a multi-country program dedicated to research and development funded by European countries and 33 Eureka countries. 

The FMM grant will enable Dr. Smeitink to further synthesize and test about 5 to 10 additional compound modifications and thereby increases the number of potential new medications for treatments. 

Many thanks to the generous support of Saks Fifth Avenue and David Yurman for their contribution to FMM in conjunction with the special personal appearance of David Yurman at the Saks Atlanta store in late November.  A large crowd of David Yurman fans came to mingle with the designer and to hear an up close and personal interview led by Saks President Ron Frasch.  The event also offered couture pieces only available when David Yurman makes a personal appearance.  Atlanta is one of the best markets for Yurman jewelry and FMM is grateful to have been chosen as a beneficiary by Saks and David Yurman. 

Baseball Insider profiles Georgia Tech Baseball Player and FMM Ambassador and his challenges with mitochondrial disease. See the article in Baseball Insider.

FMM Ambassador Colby Wren shares his story for CNN’s Sanjay Gupta’s Human Factor show.  While just one example of the many, many forms of mitochondrial disease, Colby’s story is a voice for the many fighters of this disease. 

The Outdoor Lights, an Atlanta-based, award-winning outdoor lighting firm that designs, installs and manages residential projects around the world and signature projects throughout Atlanta and the Southeast.   The owners recently were commissioned to create a custom, copper, one-of-a-kind outdoor ‘firefly’ lantern to raise awareness and funds for The Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine. Learn more here and order yours today from www.theoutdoorlights.com.