BMRP Convenes First Annual Investigators Meeting; Scientist Present Latest Findings in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research

2/21/2003

From: Melissa Bonney Ratcliff of the Broad Foundation, 310-954-5057

News Advisory:

The Broad Medical Research Program (BMRP) of The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Foundation today announced it would convene its first annual Investigators Meeting on Monday, Feb. 24, in Los Angeles.

The latest findings from innovative research into the causes, treatment and prevention of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) will be presented. IBD refers to two chronic inflammatory disorders: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Over 25 researchers from four continents will present their findings at a conference in Los Angeles. To date, the Broad Medical Research Program has funded 38 grants.

Pre-registration is required. If you would like to attend, please contact Melissa Ratcliff at 310-954-5057 or mbr@broadfoundation.org.

The Broad Medical Research Program awards research grants for innovative IBD studies and was initiated in the summer of 2001. The BMRP's goal is to support creative and novel research into the causes, management and prevention of IBD. Daniel Hollander, M.D, is the director of the program.

The BMRP Advisory Board will also be in attendance: -- Theodore Bayless, M.D. of Johns Hopkins University, recipient of the Janssen Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Gastroenterology; -- Paul Berg, Ph.D. of Stanford University, 1980 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry for his fundamental studies of DNA; -- David R. Cave, M.D., Ph.D. of Tufts University, with extensive research experience in infective agents and the gastrointestinal tract; -- Alice S. Huang, Ph.D. of California Institute of Technology, former Dean of Science at New York University; -- Eric S. Lander, Ph.D. of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, a world leader in the international Human Genome Project; and -- Ernest M. Wright, D.Sc., of the University of California, Los Angeles, with distinguished research achievements in intestinal biology.

Some of the topics for discussion will include: -- Bone Marrow Ablation and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) for Severe Crohn's Disease (CD) -- Intestinal Worms for the Therapy of Ulcerative Colitis -- Treatment of Crohn's Disease with a Genetically Modified Bacteria -- The Role of Leptin in IBD -- Deficiency of Immunoregulatory Natural Killer (NK) T Cells and IBD

The Broad family established the Broad Medical Research Program as part of The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Foundation in the summer of 2001. Their vision is to support creative and novel research into the causes, management and prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mr. Broad is recognized as a "venture philanthropist." He shoulders the financial risk for innovative projects that might otherwise not receive funding from traditional institutions. He is willing to take risks by funding clinical or basic research projects if they are in the early stages of exploration and could develop new directions and ideas for research into IBD.

The goal of the program is to fund basic or clinical research projects that: -- Are in the early stages of exploration -- Propose new directions or ideas -- Are creative, innovative, cutting edge and imaginative -- Are not ready for funding by other more traditional granting agencies

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Eli Broad was recognized as the second largest philanthropic contributor in the United States in 2002. He is chairman of AIG SunAmerica Inc., a leading financial services company specializing in retirement savings, and serves on the board of SunAmerica's parent company, American International Group, Inc. He is founder-chairman of KB Home (formerly Kaufman and Broad Home Corporation).

In addition to the Broad Medical Research Program, the Broads have two other foundations. Improving governance, management and labor relations in the nation's largest urban K-12 school districts is the mission of The Broad Foundation. Lending contemporary works of art to museums and university galleries is the mission of The Broad Art Foundation.

If you have questions or would like more information about the BMRP, please visit our website at http://www.broadmedical.org.