Patient information from Sydney IVF

Title Bill Moss’s philanthropic organisation donates over $400,000 over 3 years to Australian researchers
Release Date: 18/10/2007
More information: FSHD fact sheet

Bill Moss’s philanthropic organisation donates over $400,000 over 3 years to Australian researchers.

The FSHD Global Research Foundation has donated over $400,000 to Sydney IVF Limited. In a world first Sydney IVF will derive stem cell lines that will allow for research and drug development into Facio-scapulo-humeral Dystrophy.

Making up for lost time

FSHD Global Research Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to finding a treatment and cure for FSHD (Facio-scapulo-humeral Dystrophy), the third most common form of muscular dystrophy.The Foundation's mission is to increase the rate of global research into FSHD as well as encourage significant global fund-raising to support these research projects.

Australian interest in researching this condition only began last year. Bill Moss, a recipient of the Order of Australia and former , Macquarie Bank senior executive founded the organisation in 2007. Bill suffers from FSHD.

For information on FSHD download a fact sheet.

“The FSHD Global Research Foundation is a ‘can-do’ organisation” says Mr Moss. “We are committed to making up for lost time! While FSHD is one of the most common muscular dystrophy types, research into it is a staggering 20 years behind that of the most common form of muscular dystrophy. Our aim is to address this inequity and to quicken the pace on finding a cure. We are excited about the work that Sydney IVF and its research and stem cell division is doing in this field and are delighted to provide funds for Australian scientists to perform research in this important field”.

Bill Moss

Bill MossFounder & Chairman Bill Moss is regarded as one of the leading figures in the worldwide financial community.

Bill established Macquarie Group's Real Estate business in 1984 which grew to become the Banking and Property Group in 1998. By 2007 the Group had expanded to include over 1,600 staff, 28 offices around the world, in excess of A$23 billion of Real Estate related assets and 750 commercial, industrial and retail properties.

Bill has received many awards in the field of Real Estate, Banking and Business and in 2007 was voted one of Australia's top 20 most influential people by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Bill has also been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Bill retired from Macquarie Bank in 2007 to pursue his interests in the philanthropic and charitable sectors. He has a long and distinguished career in providing assistance to charities and community groups, particularly in the area of indigenous issues and disabilities and was recently awarded the prestigious Sir Roden Cutler Medal for Services to Charities.

Media Enquiries: media@FSHDglobal.org

Sydney IVF Limited

Sydney IVF Limited is an Australian company with an unequalled track record in innovative research and development.

“We were established in 1986, a time when advances in reproductive biology were leading to rapid gains in the clinical efficacy of human in vitro fertilization” said Dr Tomas Stojanov – the Director of Research and Development.

“Today we enjoy a multi-million dollar research budget assisted by AusIndustry in Australia, and we are establishing R&D partnerships in China and in Europe”.

The research and stem cell division of Sydney IVF develops embryonic stem cell lines that will be tailored to individual drug discovery programs and toxicology assays.

Media Enquiries: Tomas.stojanov@sydneyivf.com