The Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale selects and supports innovative research projects that promise to advance knowledge of all diseases.
But research is a long-term endeavor, and it may take many years before it results in visible human health benefits. To objectively measure the effectiveness of its support in the short and longer term, the FRM devotes part of its activities to assessing the impact of its efforts. In 2020, researchers supported by the FRM produced 1,090 scientific publications.
Cancer
Cancer is a consequence of a dysfunction in the bodys cells: uncontrolled cell growth results in the formation of tumors.
In 2017, it is estimated that there were 399,500 new cases of cancer in France, and that it caused nearly 150,000 deaths. Today, one out of two patients is cured of cancer, but the prognosis is variable from one patient to another: it depends on the affected tissue, the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis, the presence or absence of metastasis and the genetics of the patient, among other factors.
The aim of research is to further improve on this figure, particularly through personalized treatments, which take into account the specific characteristics of each patient and each tumor, but also through the development of increasingly effective screening techniques.
Neurological diseases
Neurological diseases are pathologies that affect the central (brain andspinal cord) or peripheral nervous system. Thus, this term includes variousconditions, such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, multiple sclerosis,epilepsy, etc.
Finding new therapeutic strategies and developing innovative diagnostic toolsis essential today.
It will become increasingly important to address certain neurological diseasesin the future: the aging of the population in France and in other developedcountries will expose more and more patients to neurodegenerative pathologies, particularlyAlzheimers disease.
In addition, many neurological diseases are still incurable and responsible forsevere disabilities.
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases include pathologies that affect the heart and bloodvessels, such as atherosclerosis, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure,myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. Today, research is advancingon all fronts to treat these conditions: markers for early detection,innovative treatments like new anticoagulants that prevent the formation ofclots in the arteries and artificial hearts are among the many new successes inthe field.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are caused by the transmission of a pathogen, such asbacteria, viruses, parasites, prions and fungi. They therefore cover a broadspectrum of benign pathologies, such as colds and sore throats, but also veryserious illnesses, such as AIDS, hepatitis, malaria and tuberculosis. Whileresearch has eradicated some of them through the development of specificvaccines and antibiotics, there is still a long way to go before all of thesediseases have been addressed. Today, we are also witnessing an increase in antibioticresistance, as well as the emergence of new viruses that are still unknown. Researchcontinues in order to develop innovative treatments for these diseases.
Rare diseases
A disease is designated as rare when it affects asmall fraction of the population. In Europe, the threshold is set at less than one in 2,000 people.There are about 7,000 rare diseases, including cystic fibrosis, amyotrophiclateral sclerosis, progeria and glass bone disease. Eighty percent of rarediseases are of genetic origin. Many of them are also so-called orphandiseases, diseases for which there is little or no treatment. Researchers arestepping up their efforts to better understand the causes of these diseases, aswell as to develop new treatment methods.
Other diseases
In this section, you will find information and research projects funded by the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale focused on rheumatological diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, etc.), vision (age-related macular degeneration, cataracts), skin (psoriasis, etc.), diabetes and obesity. Strong research efforts are being put into these important fields.
Distribution of funding by discipline *
In 2021, the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale funded 379 new research projects for a total of 48,4 million for all diseases.
*These figures correspond to all research commitments for 2019, after deduction of funding renouncements (partial or total non-use of allocated funding), as of december 31, 2019.
*These figures correspond to all research commitments for 2021, after deduction of funding renouncements (partial or total non-use of allocated funding), as of december 31, 2021.