Since its creation, Institut Imagine has asserted itself as a leader in life-changing genetic research, focusing on rare inherited diseases affecting children. Founded 10 years ago, it has continued to expand and bring hope to children and their families around the world.
At Friends of Fondation de France, our partnership with Institut Imagine extends beyond monetary transactions. All donations we help channel are part of the larger global effort in advancing medical research.
As Nobel Laureate Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn reminds us, “Research is universal, helping us to overcome diseases that have no boundaries and may affect any family in the world. It is to everybody’s benefit that we support strong global medical research.”
Globally, over 350 million people are affected by rare diseases, 80% of which are genetic, and 70% of which begin in childhood. Yet only 5% have even a single approved treatment. Critically, getting a diagnosis remains a major hurdle—thousands of genes may be involved, and many patients never learn the cause of their condition. Without dedicated research institutions, we are unprepared to face this challenge.
Institut Imagine in Paris is the first integrated research and treatment center in Europe, pioneering breakthroughs with world-wide applications. Institut Imagine has already identified 250 genes involved in diagnosis, and developed more than 32 gene panels, paving the way for over 3,000 diseases to be clinically diagnosed.
Philanthropic funding is a crucial catalyst for fundamental research and becomes all the more powerful when it is extended beyond borders in order to reach institutions like Imagine, which are able to deliver specialized research findings to the greater scientific community. For many years, Institute Imagine has valued French-American philanthropy and the power of international collaboration; part of their team is located in Paris, and some in New York, thanks to their partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation.
Institut Imagine fosters collaboration between the United States and France, and we are proud to bridge American generosity to urgent medical research. At Friends of Fondation de France, each nonprofit partner is part of the bigger picture—the legacy we are creating by facilitating donations.
For more insights from Dr. Blackburn about Institut Imagine and their incredible work in our case study, featured in our 25th Anniversary Report, a special publication honoring 25 years of French-American philanthropy.
