AcuraStem co-founder Justin Ichida co-authored the groundbreaking research paper "Haploinsufficiency leads to neurodegeneration in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD human induced motor neurons," published in Nature Medicine February 5.

This two-day event, which immediately precedes Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2018, will be held at the Icagen Oro Valley location (North of Tucson). The Symposium will feature presentations from a mix of academic and industry speakers from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology communities as well as key opinion leaders from foundations committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare diseases.

The award recognizes Dr. Ichida's "pioneering work to convert patients’ skin cells into disease-affected neural cells, enabling them to screen thousands of drug-like compounds in search of potential therapeutics that could slow or stop ALS."