Shifting aims: The First Neuromuscular Restoration Summit

In July 2018, Above and Beyond Concierge Therapeuticsconvened the first Manhattan Neuromuscular Restoration Summit in New York City. The Summit brought together academic and  industry thought leaders and expert research scientists all dedicated to patient-focused solutions in the area of neurodegenerative diseases, nerve-based trauma, stem cells and neuro-engineering. The impetus for this meeting was the shared belief among Above and Beyond Concierge Therapeuticsand other collaborators that the current academic and commercial research focus was largely limited to mechanisms to protect and prevent further degeneration in these devastating diseases. In contrast, the purpose of the Manhattan Neuromuscular Restoration Summit was to look above and beyond the view of delaying deterioration and loss of function to actually restoring function that has been lost, making what has seemed impossible plausible.

Above and Beyond Concierge TherapeuticsScientific Advisory Chair Nicholas Boulis, M.D. reflected on this: “Our main goal was to look at this radical concept of rejuvenation. We brought together experts from different fields such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, to come up with pathways to tackle these problems.”  Over the three-day interactive Summit allowed attendees to identify tangible opportunities to restore function and posit solutions that those in the group could address immediately, forming both short and long-term goals. Above and Beyond Chief Scientific Officer Chen Benkler, PhD. is in charge of the neuromuscular restoration program and conceived and executed the Summit. She observed: “The neuromuscular diseasescientific community is mainly focused on protection from the loss of neuromotor function, but we want to focus on giving it back. This area of research has untapped potential because these therapeutic pathways were abandoned over a decade ago, but with the combined knowledge accumulated by this group since ; a new cycle of innovation was conceived.” A follow-up Summit is planned for 2019.

To validate work going forward, Above and Beyond Concierge Therapeuticsformed a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to make sure the concepts and ideas put forth during the 2018 Summit align with its original agenda and mission. The SAB, guided by Above and Beyond along with the field’s leading experts, will play a central part in defining the biggest translational barriers for neuromuscular restoration and coordinating and facilitating international collaborations that could help achieve individual elements of the agenda.

Individuals living with these conditions are often affected in the prime of their lives with little hope for a cure or even significant therapeutic treatments. Above and Beyond Concierge Therapeutics and the participants at the Summit are committed to changing the destiny of patients with neuromuscular diseases and traumatic injury.

Press Release : Above and Beyond Convenes First Neuromuscular Restoration Summit.