The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance is dedicated to playing a catalytic role in accelerating cures for cancer by enabling the pursuit of the most innovative and advanced cancer research and by facilitating collaborations between science and business.
The Prize for young investigators provides early-stage funding opportunities to New York scientists with innovative ideas in cancer research. The program surrounding the Prize is a catalyst in bridging the gap between the academic scientific community and the business community.
VINOD BALACHANDRAN, MD
TAL DANINO, PHD
MOHAMED ABOU DONIA, PHD
LYDIA FINLEY, PHD
SHIXIN LIU, PHD
ANDREA SCHIETINGER, PHD
BRITTA WILL, PHD
SCITECHDAILY / MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER — A unique collaboration among experts from several areas within MSK leads to findings about how inflammation appears to be driving the neurologic effects seen in some COVID-19 patients. One of the dozens of unusual symptoms that have emerged in COVID-19 patients is a condition that’s informally called “COVID brain” or “brain fog.” It’s characterized by confusion, headaches, and loss of short-term memory. In severe cases, it can lead to psychosis and even seizures. It usually emerges weeks after someone first becomes sick with COVID-19.
In the February 8, 2021, issue of the journal Cancer Cell, a multidisciplinary team from Memorial Sloan Kettering reports an underlying cause of COVID brain: the presence of inflammatory molecules in the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (called the cerebrospinal fluid). The findings suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids, may be useful for treating the condition, but more research is needed.
The Prix Galien recognizes outstanding innovation to improve the human condition by means of biomedical research. It is considered the industry’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, the highest accolade for biomedical research and development. The annual Galien Forum is a meeting-of-the minds at which pressing issues are debated by front-runners in industry, academia and government. This is a special opportunity for recipients of the Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research to spend time with such leaders.
Pershing Square Sohn Prize winners, Scientific Review Council members, and guests which included individuals from philanthropy, academia, industry, and business attended this year’s Forum at the Alexandria Center for Life Science in New York City. The event featured talks by executives from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical industries, as well as top academics and government representatives. Following the Forum, select guests were invited to attend the Prix Galien Awards Ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History.
Bill Ackman, Co-Founder. The Pershing Square Foundation