Seeing Forward
For the last four weeks, we have been proud to share with you the achievements that Usher 1F Collaborative has realized in ten years. Moving into 2024 and beyond, we have the following strategic research goals that are aligned with the 2022 decision of the board of directors to fund only translational research moving forward, that is research that has a clear path to the clinic:
- Continue to fund the research on Dr. Corey’s “mini gene” and see it through to clinical trial
- Continue to follow and provide further funding, if needed, to the revolutionary gene therapy in development for Usher 1F at Dr. Pfaff’s lab at The Salk Institute, in particular his collaboration with Dr. Corey to test this gene therapy on Dr. Corey’s Usher 1F mouse
- Fund the exploration of additional gene therapies
- Continue to fund discovery of drug therapies at the Westerfield Lab at the University of Oregon Institute of Neuroscience to slow the progression of vision loss, buying us much needed time to bring a full cure to fruition
In order to achieve these goals, we need our families and donors to lean into the science more than ever--so that we do not lose critical momentum. While we move closer to a cure, our individuals who live with Usher 1F remain in a fight against time - their world grows dimmer with each passing year.
Usher 1F Collaborative is working to ensure that those with Usher 1F will not have to worry about whether they will see their children grow up. They will be able to live independently and travel to behold the world’s beauty. Seeing Forward is an initiative we are launching in 2024 to meet these bold goals. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you as a contributor so that together we can celebrate a brighter future.
