Doddie Weir's foundation invests £4 million to revolutionize MND research

In 2022, the My Name 5 Doddie Foundation made a significant investment of £4 million toward research aimed at addressing motor neurone disease. This funding was allocated to the Discovery Network, designed as an open science framework that fosters collaboration among researchers worldwide. The foundation, founded by late rugby legend Doddie Weir after his diagnosis in 2016, sought to accelerate the pursuit of effective treatments by removing competitive barriers between research teams. The funding supports four projects led by multi-institutional teams from prominent UK universities including the University of Oxford, King's College London, University College London, and the University of Edinburgh. The Discovery Network aims to identify potential treatment targets and understand disease mechanisms by promoting an open exchange of research findings. Dr. Anna Motyl, the research programme manager, emphasized the network's focus on promoting faster action in research through collaboration and open publication of results. This model has already proven successful in other fields, such as Parkinson’s disease, and is being adapted for MND research to build on prior learnings and drive progress. The foundation was established to revolutionize MND research with a focus on efficiency and collaboration. Since its inception in 2017, following Doddie Weir's diagnosis, it has committed nearly £20 million to research initiatives. Weir's contribution aimed to bring MND into public awareness and mobilize support for research that could lead to viable treatments. The upcoming two-year mark for its research strategy, 'Catalyzing a Cure', signals ongoing efforts to invest millions into innovative research with the goal of finding a cure. The investment reflects a shift in research methodologies by emphasizing the importance of cooperation over competition. Paul Thompson, the director of fundraising at the foundation, expressed the significance of collective efforts to ensure Doddie's legacy continues through impactful research that may eventually lead to meaningful advancements against MND. As awareness of the disease grows and attention is directed toward potential breakthroughs, the progress of the Discovery Network will be closely monitored by the research community and supporters alike.