Partnerships for Cures is a nonprofit organization that supports Rediscovery Research™.  Many people are not aware of the positive impact on the lives of people with diseases that come as a result of Rediscovery Research.  A recent article posted in the Wall Street Journal by Amy Dockser Marcus speaks to the importance of Rediscovery Research, as well as the purpose of Partnerships for Cures.  The article entitled, “Surprising New Uses for Older Drugs; HIV Vaccine?” discusses several findings as a result of rediscovery research, with the focus being on the a recent discovery, repurposing the compound cyclodextrin.  Researchers were trying to develop a vaccine with cyclodextrin that will help HIV patients fight off HIV infection.  Other scientists are also testing the drug to see if it can help develop treatments for people with Alzheimer’s & Ebola virus.  What spurred this testing?  An email from the mother of twin daughters that have Niemann-Pick Type C disease, for which cyclodextrin had been prescribed.

Partnerships for Cures mission is to “rediscover” new uses for approved drug and devices.  We find clinicians, scientists, and even parents and patients who have some idea for a new use for a current drug based on their own experience.  We connect them with clinical researchers and find funders to support the research, to try to prove whether this Rediscovery Research will work for patients. 

Many people don’t know how often the serendipity of Rediscovery Research happens.  Partnerships for Cures has had a role in the repurposing of a number of drugs, including the drug Thalidomide, mentioned in Ms. Marcus’ article.  For example, Rogaine was initially used to lower blood pressure.  The more popular use for Rogaine today is to stimulate hair growth.  Another popular case is Viagra.  Initially Viagra was tested to treat angina (a chest pain that is the result of your heart muscle not getting enough blood), now it is used for erectile dysfunction.  Although there are many discoveries in the world to be made, the power of Rediscovery Research should not be overlooked.