Public Charity Partnership for Cures Changes Name to Cures Within Reach to Reflect Patient Impact

Oct. 23, 2012 - PRLog -- Under their new name Cures Within Reach, this public charity remains the established leader in the Repurposing Revolution, with a decade-long track record in reducing needless patient suffering by creating immediately usable medical solutions that improve length and quality of life for those with catastrophic diseases.  Jeff Aronin, CEO of Paragon Pharmaceuticals and Chair of Cures’ Business Advisory Board, says “The name Cures Within Reach demonstrates what this philanthropic organization has been focused on: testing familiar drugs and treatments for new uses, with the goal of improving patient quality and length of life.”

Cures Within Reach finds these projects through its relationships with over 25 leading research institutions around the country such as Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General and Cleveland Clinic.  These relationships and Cures’ cyclical Patient Impact Initiative RFP process bring to light brilliant Rediscovery Research ideas which might otherwise remain hidden. This Patient Impact Initiative clinical trial portfolio contains the best of the best low-cost, 1-3 year projects that can improve the lives of patients who are suffering right now.

Chair of the Science Advisory Board, Dr. Steve Kron, University of Chicago, describes the name shift: ”The new name helps emphasize our unique position as a foundation devoted to funding research with high potential for near-term and significant benefits for today's patients.  Cures Within Reach is based on the recognition that repurposing existing drugs, devices and other therapies to new uses offers a direct route to effective treatments that can benefit patients today.  By remaining focused on the potential impact and return on investment of each project, versus favoring innovative science for its own sake, Cures Within Reach hopes to leverage its resources to achieve the best outcomes possible.  We plan to provide the funds needed to test the most promising ideas for how to apply current knowledge to a new use.  Cures Within Reach will build on the record of success established by Partnership for Cures, but with a goal of having an even bigger positive impact by making many more new and effective treatments available to many more patients.  I am proud to be involved with such a practical and effective approach to medical research.  I think the Cures Within Reach funding strategy will soon be considered a model and I expect many foundations to follow suit and establish their own repurposing initiatives, with the potential to benefit a far greater number of patients in the coming years.”

Cures Within Reach thinks outside of the box not only in terms of best practices for medical research, but also in terms of pulling together funding. Funders come in all shapes and sizes, including disease specific organizations and individuals seeking research progress for one disease; individuals, corporate foundations, or private foundations who are looking for outcomes-based philanthropic investments; and venture capitalists who see potential in specific projects while also wanting to participate in a larger philanthropic mission.

With 19 projects currently in process, Cures Within Reach connects funders to the progress of their projects, supports the publication of results and informs patient advocacy groups and clinicians of immediately usable new treatment options. Through our work, 9 new treatments have been created, changing the lives of thousands of patients and saving over $300M in annual healthcare costs.

John Aalbregtse, Chair of Cures' Executive Board, supports the change:
"Cures Within Reach more closely reflects the true sense of purpose that was envisioned when Partnership for Cures was initially launched a number of years ago - seeking to quickly impact the quality of life for patients by repurposing drugs and therapies to treat their specific disease.”

Dr. Bruce Bloom, President and CSO of Cures Within Reach: “The name Cures Within Reach tells our story in three words. Almost anyone who hears our new name can begin to know what we do and why it is critical for us to do it if we want to heal the sick and extend their lives in a meaningful way.”  This work is practical, heartfelt and sorely needed in our world today. Cures Within Reach is honored to work in and around the existing medical system, furthering research that puts patient needs front and center.

For more information, visit www.4cures.org