At the initiative of the French entrepreneur Olivier Goy, a loyal supporter of Paris Brain Institute, and the private equity management company Pams, a new fund with a philanthropic dimension called “Invincible Été” has just been created. It is intended to fund European research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), drawing in particular on the scientific expertise of the Institute.
Led by Olivier Goy’s personal commitment, the new 99-year Invincible Été (Invincible Été) specialised professional fund (FPS) is based on an innovative investment model that will eventually generate close to EUR 1 million per year to support the research work of French and European teams on ALS. Its first closing, planned for the first half of 2025, aims to raise EUR 20 million.
Thanks to his exceptional involvement, Olivier Goy has already raised nearly 2.5 million euros for the benefit of the teams of Paris Brain Institute. This new fund marks a common ambition to go further, and even more effectively
A collaborative European research strategy
Funds collected by Invincible Summer will be allocated to European teams working on ALS, rigorously selected by independent international experts under the scientific coordination of Paris Brain Institute.
European research must join forces and collaborate more intensively. Only multidisciplinary and cross-border approaches will advance our knowledge and develop effective therapeutic solutions. I am convinced that this fund will pave the way for new approaches to funding research, which could ultimately benefit other neurodegenerative diseases.
The Association pour la Recherche sur la SLA (ARSLA), a historical actor in the funding of French research on this disease and a partner in this initiative, will select the beneficiary research teams in France, according to the same principle.
In addition to supporting innovative research with high potential, “Invincible Summer” aims to bring together different disciplines, and to strengthen links between research institutions and patient associations.
Hope for patients
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Charcot's disease, is a rare and incurable disease that causes progressive degeneration of motor neurons — the cells that control the voluntary muscles of the body. Located in the cerebral cortex and anterior spinal cord, their destruction causes progressive paralysis of the limbs, as well as the muscles that control breathing and swallowing.
While the average life expectancy after diagnosis remains limited to three to five years, recent advances offer the prospect of new ways of combating the disease.
To date, 30 genes associated with the disease have been identified, compared to only 13 in 2014, and only one in 2004. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ALS has advanced considerably, contributing to the development of innovative treatments to slow the progression of certain genetic forms of the disease. Finally, advances in assistive technologies have greatly improved the daily lives of patients in the context of multidisciplinary care.
The “Invincible Summer” fund exists thanks to the pro bono commitment of Pams and Gide.
