A new president for the Scientific Advisory Board
On April 12, Prof. Judith Melki succeeded Odile Boespflug-Tanguy as president of the AFM-Telethon’s Scientific Advisory Board. Professor Emeritus of medical genetics, Judith Melki is at the origin of the discovery of the SMN gene, responsible for spinal muscular atrophy, which was the starting point of a great international research movement that opened the way to the development of innovative treatments for this formerly incurable disease.
"I am very honoured to succeed Odile Boespflug-Tanguy who chaired the Scientific Advisory Board for 7 years. I will do my utmost to fulfil this mission in the service of sick children and adults, in close collaboration with the members of the AFM-Telethon's Permanent Scientific Advisory Board(...)" declares Judith Melki, Professor Emeritus, geneticist and researcher at the INSERM Paris Saclay University Unit, UMR 1195 in Kremlin-Bicêtre.
A pioneer in research on neuromuscular diseases, Judith Melki has on several occasions put her expertise at the service of patients and their families by sitting on the Scientific Advisory Board of the AFM-Telethon. Her discovery of the gene responsible for spinal muscular atrophy has led to major therapeutic developments, in particular the development of a gene therapy treatment that is saving the lives of children suffering from this disease.
The AFM-Telethon's Scientific Advisory Board is made up of 86 experts recognised in their disciplines (biologists, pharmacists, doctors, specialists in regulatory affairs, drug development, etc.). It also proposes research topics to be explored and evaluates the scientific quality of the projects, both a priori and a posteriori, by relying on an international network of 6000 external experts.