MoGen Professor James Dowling and His Team Administer First-Ever In-Clinic Gene Therapy for SPG50 at SickKids
MoGen in the News
By
MoGen Communications
In the News:
Dr. James Dowling, a Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Senior Scientist at SickKids, was pivotal in diagnosing Michael Pirovolakis with SPG50, a rare and devastating neurodegenerative disorder that initially suggested he would never walk or talk. Dr. Dowling, who was the first to diagnose Michael, would also be the one to deliver his life-changing medication just three years later.
With no treatment options available, Michael’s family made the difficult decision to liquidate their savings and begin fundraising for research. Their efforts led to a breakthrough—in just a few years, a groundbreaking treatment was developed, and SickKids administered the first-ever in-clinic treatment on Michael.
Dr. Dowling and his team at Sickkids spearheaded the procedure, injecting the gene therapy directly into Michael’s spinal fluid.
Today, Michael’s condition has stabilized, and the five-year-old is showing early signs of improvement.
