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The Fondation Ipsen celebrates its 30th anniversary with a prestigious conference on the perspectives of cancer research "Biology viewed through the prism of cancer"PARIS --(Business Wire)-- The Fondation Ipsen is celebrating its 30th anniversary. During these three decades, it has gone hand in hand with the evolution of biomedical research at the highest level, organizing the first scientific conferences on many current and emerging areas of biology and medicine, including those related to Alzheimer's disease, gene therapy and stem cells in the brain, as well as the idea of protective genes against diseases. The foundation has also been behind completely new approaches, such as neurophilosophy, the extension of the prion concept in all neurodegenerative diseases, and even the neurobiological approach to human values. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Fondation Ipsen hosted a grand event entitled "From brain to mind", which offered an overview of the dramatic advances made in neuroscience. For its 30th anniversary, the Fondation Ipsen has decided to organize a conference on cancer science, as seen from the point of view of advances in fundamental biology. This scientific meeting is an opportunity to review current knowledge in the field of cancer research but also, more generally, to explore some of the most fascinating aspects of biological science. Indeed, during the last few decades fundamental research in the field of cancer has achieved considerable advances which have "fertilized" biology as a whole. In practice, cancer research merges with the very heart of research in cellular and molcular biology, as indicated by discoveries related to telomeres, stem cells, epigenesis, and gene therapy. Marc de Garidel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ipsen, stated: "I'm delighted that the Fondation Ipsen, because of its strong reputation and expertise in the science of oncology, is able to gather together the world's best researchers to discuss the need for further advancement in the treatment of this deadly disease." Yves Christen, Chairman of the Fondation Ipsen, added: "Up to now the treatment of cancer has not fully benefited from the results of the latest scientific and medical advances. After unquestionable progress, it has come up against a fundamental limit due to the fact that cancer is not a disease from the outside (like infections) but a pathology related to the functioning of living organisms. For this reason conventional treatments (surgery, radiation, antimitotics) do not really target specific mechanisms, and exert significant adverse effects." However, over the past few years, new approaches have emerged, targeting specific mechanisms such as the effect on protein-phosphorylating enzymes (protein kinases). These often concern specific forms and therefore a limited number of patients are affected, but they represent future approaches. In this same vein, and after so many years of trial and error, today immunotherapy has proven effective under specific conditions. All these advances have altered the medical view of cancer. It is no longer a matter of an acute disease, a merciless killer, but a chronic disease - just like those affecting the cardiovascular system - with which we can envisage living for many years to come. The Fondation Ipsen Founded in 1983 under the aegis of the Fondation de France, the Fondation Ipsen is dedicated to contributing to the development and dissemination of scientific knowledge. During this time, the Fondation Ipsen aims to promote the interaction between researchers and clinicians, essential exchanges because of the extreme specialization of these professions. The Fondation Ipsen's goal is to incite contemplation of the great scientific challenges for years to come. The Fondation has developed a significant international network of scientific experts, who meet regularly at Medicine and Research Conferences, dedicated to five main themes: Alzheimer's disease, neuroscience, longevity, endocrinology and cancer. Furthermore, since 2007 the Fondation Ipsen has introduced several series of meetings in partnership with the Salk Institute, the Karolinska Institutet, Massachusetts General Hospital, the DMMGF Foundation, as well as with the journals Nature, Cell and Science. The Fondation Ipsen has published over one hundred books and has awarded more than 250 prizes and grants. |
