Welcome!

FAST was founded in 2008 with an urgent mission: to cure Angelman syndrome. Today, with operations in the United States, Australia, the UK, Canada, Italy, France, Spain and Latin America, our organization is the largest non-governmental funder of Angelman syndrome research, and we take this responsibility seriously. All financial gifts are invested wisely, and 94.3% of every dollar goes to support critical research! And, we don’t just write checks. FAST has set the research agenda for Angelman syndrome from bringing together a multidisciplinary team of more than two-dozen scientists from top research universities and pharmaceutical companies to join forces on a focused path to a cure to ensuring potential therapeutics do not languish in the laboratory. FAST formed the subsidiary, GeneTx Biotherapeutics, in order to develop an antisense oligonucleotide as a potential treatment for Angelman syndrome. FAST and GeneTx advanced this program from a proof of concept in the laboratory into clinical development. FAST was the first rare-disease patient organization to take this approach. GeneTx was the very first company to trial a potentially disease-modifying drug in this patient population.

Whereas most rare disease patient organizations would begin to relax and wait (and pray) for the results of their decisions, strategies and hard work to pay off, FAST is poised to work harder than ever to create meaningful change for the Angelman community. All of the advancements in Angelman syndrome, as well as FAST’s mission, would not be possible without the continued support of our community. All of us at FAST remain enormously grateful for your support and look forward to the many advancements that lie ahead as we #cureangelman.

Now is the time for action. FAST’s Roadmap to a Cure is bold, ambitious, and, with your help, achievable. Please join us by making a financial gift, spreading the word with friends and family members, and fundraising to help us cross the finish line. Our ultimate goal is to successfully complete this race – and no longer be necessary – by finding a cure.