Paris Brain Institute America launched in New York to drive brain research even further
Building on its reputation as a leading international research centre, Paris Brain Institute has recently established a new charitable organisation in the United States. The aim is to forge strong links with prominent research institutions in North and South America, fund innovative research projects and promote the spread of a global culture of neuroscience. The launch of Paris Brain Institute America was celebrated with a charity gala at the French Consulate in New York on 4 October, in the presence of actress Michelle Yeoh and actor Jean Reno, who are both ambassadors of the Institute.
Neurological and psychiatric disorders are currently the world’s leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death. Paris Brain Institute, an international scientific and medical research centre located at the heart of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, is dedicated to advancing research on a global scale to combat this major public health threat. To this end, the Institute collaborates with renowned universities and research institutions around the world, setting up joint research programmes, clinical partnerships, exchange initiatives and training activities.
“To make tangible progress in the field of neuroscience, we need to provide consistent financial support to our teams, work closely with other major research institutions and raise public awareness of the seriousness of brain diseases” explains Professor Gérard Saillant, President of Paris Brain Institute. “That’s why we decided to strengthen our ties with our partners across the Atlantic. Paris Brain Institute America will play a key role in uniting the research front to build a better future for neuroscience“.
This new non-profit organisation will be led by publisher Martine Assouline, Co-President of the Friend’s Committee of Paris Brain Institute. She will be responsible for spearheading fundraising campaigns for Paris Brain Institute America to provide researchers with the competitive resources needed to initiate new international collaborations and interdisciplinary research projects.
Paving the way for breakthrough discoveries
Indeed, international research funding is often scarce, and existing sources often place a heavy administrative burden on institutions.
“Our goal is to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic solutions for neurological and psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease or schizophrenia. Paris Brain Institute America will raise the necessary funds to strengthen existing collaborations between Paris Brain Institute and the most eminent researchers on the American continent, and to forge new ones. This will allow us to rapidly test new research hypotheses” said Professor Alexis Brice, Director of Paris Brain Institute.
More than $9.5 million in public and private funding has already been secured in North and South America, and there are currently 50 ongoing research projects between Paris Brain Institute and American research institutions, including the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital at McGill, Yale University School of Medicine, Harvard University and Columbia University.
“Our projects are off to a promising start. But we want to go further by establishing links with top research teams in Latin America and the Global South” says Dr Bassem Hassan, Scientific Director of Paris Brain Institute. “Without their participation, we cannot hope to address one of the most important challenges facing humanity. It is through diversity of thought and approach that innovative solutions can emerge. We are committed to making research more inclusive by working with talent wherever it may be.“
Broad philanthropic support
Paris Brain Institute America’s inaugural dinner was held in New York on 4 October and brought together individuals who are committed to the urgent need to raise funds for brain research, including long-time supporters of the Institute, Michelle Yeoh, Jean Reno and Richard Mille.
Prof. Gérard Saillant, President of Paris Brain Institute, Prof. Alexis Brice, Dr Bassem Hassan and Dr Claire Wyart, neuroscientist and recipient of the 2022 Richard Lounsbery Award, were also present at this inaugural dinner, as were the Institute’s founding members, including Maurice Levy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe, and Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
For more information, please visit parisbraininstitute-america.org.
Press contacts
- Paris Brain Institute: presse@icm-institute.org
- Paris Brain Institute America: press@thirtyseveneast.com