CorDynamics to Match Elementary School's
Rare Disease Day Contributions

Rett Syndrome Hits Hearts of Students, Teachers and Parents

Chicago, IL (February 2012) - CorDynamics, Inc., will match the funds raised by students at Spencer Loomis Elementary in their Dollar Denim Days fundraiser next week.

On February 29, in honor of RARE Disease Day and in support of the Global Genes Project, students from the Hawthorn Woods school will be making and purchasing denim ribbons. The children and faculty will also be encouraged to wear their favorite pair of jeans to school.

The proceeds will go toward research on Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder of the nervous system and the devastating diagnosis given to Amelia "Emmy" Foster, the 3-year-old daughter of Colleen Foster, who was previously a teacher at the school.

Rett Syndrome robs children of their verbal and motor skills and is often associated with a dangerous heart condition—long QT syndrome.

"When I heard that Mrs. Foster, my son's former kindergarten teacher, had a daughter suffering from Rett Syndrome, it really hit home," says Dr. Michael Gralinski, CEO of CorDynamics, a contract research organization focused on examining new drugs for cardiovascular effects, including long QT interval of the ECG. "Thankfully, we have learned a lot about prolonged QT interval and can inform parents about the seemingly innocuous drugs that can be dangerous for kids with conditions such as Rett Syndrome. Researchers are also investigating future therapies that may help in this area."

Dr. Gralinski, whose youngest son is a student at Spencer Loomis, says his company is honored to support kids helping kids.

"This is just another example of how interconnected we all are in life and in science," says Dr. Gralinski. "The more we learn about each rare disease and how many of them may be interrelated, the closer we get to finding answers and ultimately cures."

CorDynamics, Inc. provides research support with discovery and preclinical safety pharmacology studies along with lead optimization screening and consulting for more than 200 biopharmaceutical clients worldwide. Among those clients, many are working together to eradicate rare diseases. On philanthropic efforts, CorDynamics collaborates with Two Hearts Rock, the non-profit organization who brought the Dollar Denim Days to Spencer Loomis.

Contact:
Theresa Gralinski, CorDynamics Marketing Director