Accelerating discoveries for rare diseases through gene therapy

30 Nov 1999

Your support is helping researchers from the Network, along with partner organisation, the Children's Medical Research Institute, to accelerate world-leading gene and gene-modified cell therapies to help children with rare diseases. 

Gene therapy involves a once-only injection and has the potential to transform the lives of children.

Expert clinicians and families have witnessed the incredible benefit of giving Zolgensma to children with spinal muscular atrophy, a devastating life-threatening condition that leads to the rapid loss of motor function in the first year of life. Children receiving this therapy are now walking and developing normally at age two.

Another example is ocular gene therapy, which involves an injection into the retina of children who are deficient in the RPE65 protein and at risk of blinding eye disease. The therapy has lead to the partial restoration of the vision in two teenagers allowing them to see stars for the first time in their lives.

Leading researchers have unique opportunities to develop novel gene therapies focused on rare genetic diseases of the liver, eye and brain – the latter of which can lead to childhood dementia.

Related Posts

A little bag making a big difference

Through a recent collaboration with leading and popular retailer, Lowes, Sydney Children's...

The Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care: Giving the smallest patients their best possible start

The Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead provi...

Capital Update (February 2022)

Hand therapists get kids back to the playground faster after injury

Hand therapists at CHW reduce wait times for kids with hand injuries, allowing quicker tre...

Celebrating 20 Years of Impact with Beat the Burn

This year marks the 20th consecutive year firefighters have laid down their hoses to put t...

The OA Kid’s Story: A Story Book Explaining Oesophageal Atresia for Children

A story book for children with Oesophageal Atresia “that answers the questions “why am...

A Movement of Many, fighting for the health and wellbeing of all children in an ever changing world.

See how the Movement of Many are helping sick kids

See your impact
Collage of Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation staff and donors making a heart symbol with their hands