Today is #RareDiseaseDay.
There are more than 7,000 rare diseases affecting 300 million people worldwide, but over 95% of these diseases do not have an approved treatment.
Despite this significant unmet need, rare disease research is hindered by fragmented expertise, dispersed patient populations and limited funding.
The LifeArc Translational Centres for Rare Disease aim to tackle these major obstacles by sparking new collaborations across academia and patient communities, and improving access to translational advice, facilities and training. Ultimately, they will help bring new tests and treatments to people who need them faster.