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2023 Impact Report

2023 marked six years of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. We are a parent-driven, global foundation with the mission to help improve the lives of every person affected by FOXG1 syndrome worldwide. We are known in the industry as innovators as we  focus on three equally critical areas: FOXG1 science, FOXG1 patient data, and FOXG1 patients and community. From advancing our gene therapy program to building our own bioinformatics platform, to helping guide parents through the rare disease medical caregiver journey, this year has been a year of upward progress in all three areas. Here are the FOXG1 Research Foundation highlights from 2023 and goals for 2024.


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2023 Year-End Campaign - Letter to Our Supporters

Thanks to supporters like you, we are racing towards a cure with a clear roadmap! In six years, we have blazed a trail from basic to translational science. We have now identified a very promising gene therapy program that we are working to bring to clinical trials.

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FOXG1 Parents Support Webinar: “Tell Us Abey” Communications System

The FOXG1 Parents Support Team introduces Josh Weitzman, co-creator of the "Tell Us Abey" communications system that he and his wife Michelle developed for their son Abraham “Abey,” who has FOXG1 syndrome. Witnessing Abey's ability to communicate with this tool has given the FOXG1 community a new outlook on our children's  cognitive abilities. Abey is a student at Columbia University and a skilled creative writer. In this webinar, Josh shares more about Abey, their FOXG1 journey, and explains how "Tell Us Abey" works.

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FRF Appoints Chief Drug Development Officer, Dr. Gai Ayalon

The FOXG1 Research Foundation announces the appointment of Dr. Gai Ayalon as the Chief Drug Development Officer..

Dr. Ayalon is a distinguished neuroscientist and drug developer, who over many years led teams and spearheaded drug development programs for neurological diseases including rare neurodevelopmental disorders, spanning the discovery, translation and clinical phases. He joins our foundation at a critical and pivotal juncture as we enter Phase Four on our Path to a Cure, taking programs through safety studies and clinical trials. 

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Dr. Soo-Kyung Lee Named FOXG1 Research Foundation Chief Scientific Officer

The FOXG1 Research Foundation (FRF), announced today the appointment of Dr. Soo-Kyung Lee as the new Chief Scientific Officer of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. Dr. Lee is an Empire Innovation Professor and Om P. Bahl Endowed Professor at University at Buffalo Department of Biological Sciences. Since joining the FRF in 2017, Dr. Lee has elevated the FOXG1 research center at the University at Buffalo to a global leader in the field. Her exceptional work has garnered around $3M annually from federal agencies, FRF, UB, and the Simon Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), notably receiving SFARI's 2022 Genomics of ASD: Pathways to Genetic Therapies award.

Dr. Lee’s dedication to curing FOXG1 syndrome is deeply personal as a mother to Yuna, diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome in 2009. Her passion and commitment have inspired everyone fortunate enough to work with her. It's a rare and special circumstance to have FOXG1 parents leading the scientific journey towards effective therapeutics for all FOXG1 children globally.

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New Children's Book and Digital Platform "Joyfully Josie" Aims to Spark Conversations Around Disabilities, Rare Diseases, and Inclusion

Nicole Zeitzer Johnson announced today the release of her debut book, "Joyfully Josie." Designed to help parents and families discuss inclusion in the context of disabilities, this captivating children's book series aims to foster understanding of rare diseases and the experiences of medically complex individuals.


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CareTalk Podcast: Why Rare Disease Research is SO Important

In the CareTalk episode, “Why Rare Disease Research is So Important” Co-host, David Williams is joined by Nasha Fitter, CEO of FOXG1 Research Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for FOXG1 Syndrome and Vice President of RWE and Ciitizen Platform at Invitae, to shed light on the importance of rare disease research, the challenges it faces, and the promising developments in this field.

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