Introducing the ALS ACE Initiative

Announcing a powerful new initiative to advance ALS research, of which we are a proud support partner! Together with the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the Acceleration Centers of Enrollment (ACE) initiative: The ACE initiative aims to accelerate enrollment and operational improvements in ALS clinical research by increasing access to clinical trials, expanded access protocols, and non-therapeutic research studies. Support for the ACE initiative comes from an Anonymous donor, ALS ONE, and the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

The initiative will be led by a team of clinical investigators from both Mass General and Northwestern. The Mass General team will be comprised of Merit Cudkowicz, M.D., MS.C., Sabrina Paganoni, M.D., Ph.D., and Doreen Ho, M.D. Senda Ajroud-Driss, M.D., will lead the team at Northwestern. Between the two centers, the ACE initiative will provide funding for staff, training, and infrastructure to accelerate participation in research, ultimately broadening access to potential treatments and programs for people living with ALS.

“We need transformative initiatives to change the trajectory of ALS research and care,” said Dr. Paganoni. “With programs like ACE coming to fruition, we are forging new paths for those who desire to contribute to research and gain access to clinical trials, expanded access and other important studies.”

The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial has been a leader in pioneering innovation and advancing research in ALS. There is tremendous interest in participating in this study as well as other exciting research projects. The ACE initiative will improve access and efficiency, funding training and salaries of additional staff, and ultimately broadening access for people with ALS to potential treatments and programs.

“ALS ONE is honored to be a support partner of the Acceleration Centers of Enrollment (ACE) initiative. This innovative program will significantly enhance access to critical clinical trials and research studies for people living with ALS” said Jennifer DiMartino, Executive Director of ALS ONE. “ACE is a vital step towards faster, more efficient research and ultimately, finding treatments and a cure for ALS.”

Read the full press release about The ACE initiative HERE.