The Morrison Government has announced $2 million funding for research and development of new treatments for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The funding, to be delivered over two years (2022‑23 to 2023‑24), will be provided to FightMND to invest in innovative projects seeking to discover and understand why MND occurs and what contributes to its progression.
MND is a terminal neurodegenerative disease which can lead to gradual weakening of muscles, swallowing and speech disturbances, respiratory failure and death. The cause of MND is not yet understood and there is no known cure. In Australia, two people are diagnosed with MND, and two people die because of MND, every day.
Co‑founded by Neale Daniher in 2014, FightMND seeks to facilitate research projects to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for MND.
To date, FightMND has provided opportunities for more than 500 Australians to participate in more than 11 clinical trials and 17 drug development projects.
Today’s announcement builds on the $15.72 million in funding the Morrison Government has provided to FightMND for these projects over the last five years including:
- $8.96 million from the Medical Research Future Fund
- $1.96 million for the Motor Neuron Disease project – ‘Tecfidera trail’
- $6 million for the National Precisions Medicine Program
- $5.8 million to match funds raised at the Big Freeze at the ‘G’
- $2 million for the ‘Delivery of Early‑Phase Clinical Trial/s for Australians with Motor Neurone Disease Project 2021’.
Working closely with FightMND, the Morrison Government is committed to continuing investment in these ground‑breaking research projects and clinical trials to find a cure for MND.
