Yousef Al-Abed receives prestigious honor from National Academy of Inventors

In a noteworthy achievement, Dr. Yousef Al-Abed, co-director and professor at the Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, has been awarded a prestigious fellowship by the National Academy of Inventors. This recognition, which highlights individuals who have demonstrated significant innovation in their fields, will be conferred upon him at the 14th Annual NAI Conference scheduled for June 26, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. The NAI is known for honoring academic inventors whose contributions have led to meaningful advancements in various sectors, including economic development and societal welfare. Dr. Al-Abed's research has focused on developing innovative therapies for various health conditions, including inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. His team made significant strides with their discovery of the molecule macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is identified as a promising target for therapies aimed at treating conditions like sepsis, diabetes, and cancer. One of the breakthroughs stemming from this research is the invention of ISO-1, a compound designed to target and inhibit MIF. This compound has shown effectiveness in animal models and has garnered attention and investment from major pharmaceutical companies. Further advancements from Dr. Al-Abed’s lab include the development of FISLE-412, a compound aimed at neutralizing harmful self-directed antibodies in lupus patients. Additionally, they have explored potential new uses for existing drugs, such as semapimod for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Currently, Dr. Al-Abed is leading efforts to enhance drug discovery and development through novel technology that improves the synthesis and screening of stabilized peptide-based therapeutics, an area rich with potential applications for a wide range of diseases. The recognition from the National Academy of Inventors not only underscores Dr. Al-Abed's contributions to medical research but also reflects the broader impact of inventors across various disciplines worldwide. The 2024 Class of NAI Fellows hails from numerous research institutions and universities globally, possessing over 5,000 U.S. patents collectively. The fact that Dr. Al-Abed’s work extends beyond a singular focus on inflammation to include technology for aiding those with paralysis highlights the ongoing efforts of researchers at the Feinstein Institutes to innovate for patient benefit. This commitment to pushing scientific boundaries, as expressed by Dr. Al-Abed, is expected to fuel future research endeavors aimed at improving health outcomes.