Questcor, CNF partner to fund infantile spasms research

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOR) announced that it is partnering with the Child Neurology Foundation (CNF) to fund a $30,000 grant to support research into infantile spasms (IS). Catherine Chu-Shore, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital was selected by CNF as the recipient of this first-ever "Logan Infantile Spasms Research Award."

"Questcor is committed to CNF and the entire infantile spasms community," said Steve Cartt, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer for Questcor. "Further research into this devastating condition is imperative and we feel strongly about supporting initiatives that will advance the knowledge and treatment of infantile spasms."

Dr. Chu-Shore, whose application was reviewed by 10 of the nation's top child neurologists and then selected by the CNF Board of Directors, said she will focus her research on the "functional network connectivity" in infantile spasms. IS is a severe, ultra-rare form of childhood epilepsy that can lead to long-term cognitive impairment if it is not quickly and successfully treated. The goal of her research is to identify early metrics of altered brain connectivity which can serve as biomarkers for prognostication and treatment stratification for infants with IS.

"I am very grateful to be the recipient of the Child Neurology Foundation's Logan Infantile Spasms Research Award," said Dr. Chu-Shore. "This grant provides me with the opportunity to develop my career as a physician scientist and better understand the mechanisms of pediatric neurologic disease and their impact on functional neurodevelopment."

Dr. Chu-Shore completed her child neurology training at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Following a year where she was involved in post-doctoral research, she then completed a combination epilepsy and neurophysiology fellowship at MGH. In 2010, Dr. Chu-Shore joined the staff at MGH in the Pediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Programs.

Dr. Chu-Shore will be honored and presented with the award at a special luncheon today at the CNS Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island.

"Research into orphan disorders like infantile spasms often suffers from a lack of funding," said Lawrence W. Brown, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and President of the Child Neurology Foundation. "That is why we are pleased to partner with Questcor Pharmaceuticals. They have made a multi-year commitment to fund basic research into the causes and consequences of infantile spasms. Our hope is that better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology will lead to new and even more effective treatments for this very rare but devastating form of childhood epilepsy."