Patrick Gunning recognized with Connaught Innovation Award
Published: March 31, 2022
Professor Patrick Gunning of the University of Toronto Mississauga has received a Connaught Innovation Award to support his team’s work on the development of HDAC2 inhibitors for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives, praised Gunning for the potential impact of his innovative research.
“DMD is a rare and debilitating disease that affects approximately one in every 3,500 newborn males,” Cowen says. “The work of Professor Gunning and his team focuses on an emerging therapy that shows great potential to effectively combat the disease and advance the field of regenerative medicine.”
With support from the Connaught Fund, the Connaught Innovation Awards recognize research that helps accelerate the development and commercialization of promising technologies. Projects were selected for their strong socio-economic and commercial potential, and because they are expected to make a positive impact on society.
There are 12 additional Connaught Innovation Award recipients across the university – nine from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and one each from the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing.
