A new research project on Friedreich's Ataxia for Unipd
23.06.2025
The associations "Ogni Giorno per Emma" and "Per il Sorriso di Ilaria di Montebruno", which have been active for over a decade in funding research on Friedreich's Ataxia, have announced a new collaboration. These organisations, founded by parents of daughters affected by the condition, will support a research project by Giorgio Cozza from the Department of Molecular Medicine at the University of Padua.
Friedreich's Ataxia is a rare genetic disease that causes loss of motor coordination and affects about one in 50,000 people worldwide. Currently, there is no definitive cure, only palliative treatments. Giorgio Cozza's research, for which he is the principal investigator, is based on "drug repositioning", which involves testing drugs already approved for other diseases that have antioxidant properties to block oxidative damage, one of the main causes of the disease.
"Although this is basic research, a success could provide both new fundamental insights into the mechanisms of the condition and a potential, rapid clinical translatability to benefit patients," commented the professor, who expressed great "inspiration" in collaborating with these associations, highlighting their passion and determination.
This partnership represents a virtuous collaboration between patient associations and the academic world, combining the urgency of families with the rigour of scientific research. Annalisa Bertazzon, President of "Ogni Giorno per Emma", and Luca Biggi, President of "Per il Sorriso di Ilaria di Montebruno", emphasise the importance of diversifying support to various scientific projects to increase the chances of finding a concrete solution.
