Professor Paola Giunti wins Creating Impact Through Knowledge Exchange Award

5 February 2025

We're delighted to announce that Professor Paola Giunti (Head of UCL Ataxia Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) has won the Impactful Partnership with Industry award at UCL's Creating Impact Through Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025 announced yesterday at Senate House

The awards recognise and celebrate knowledge exchange activity across every corner of UCL, in everything from drug discovery and regenerative medicine, to energy use and AI.

The event at Senate House was designed to shine a light on the individuals and teams who’ve had particular impact in knowledge exchange at UCL.

Delegates were welcomed by Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement). Professor Rees underlined the importance significance of taking UCL expertise out into the world, and the benefits this work brings to our teaching, research and partners alongside significant social and economic impact.

Winners were presented with a certificate, trophy, and funding to host a small event within their department to celebrate their successful knowledge exchange and innovation activity with colleagues.

The award for Impactful Partnership with Industry, which recognises UCL collaborations with industry partners that have delivered significant impact, went to Professor Paola Giunti, who’s partnered with Reata Pharmaceuticals, now Biogen, to deliver the first FDA-approved treatment for Friedreich’s Ataxia, a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder. Paola provided crucial scientific expertise to validate the drug, Omaveloxolone, enabling a global clinical trial where UCL served as the UK’s sole trial site.

The collaboration addressed numerous challenges, from refining lab models to ensuring patient involvement throughout the research and trial process. It also provided valuable insights into the health economics of treating rare diseases, culminating in the presentation of findings at the European Parliament.

The partnership also led to the establishment of the Ataxia Centre London, recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the US National Ataxia Foundation. This centre integrates cutting-edge research with clinical care, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

"I am very honoured to be recognised by this award and to have experienced such a longstanding partnership with industry to impact the life of my patients. Truly translating research from early stage in my laboratory through to FDA and EMA approval achieving the first treatment ever for FA is such a privilege. I always work with patients who have been at the centre of what I do that is translational research and to see them directly benefit of this research outcome that came directly from the Ataxia Centre is what gives me my drive and purpose". Professor Paola Giunti (Head of UCL Ataxia Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology)

Commenting on the awards, Professor Rees said: “Congratulations to all the individuals and teams who were commended and won. The quality of the award nominees was exceptionally high this year. We’re thrilled to see even more of our innovative community taking their ideas out into the world in such impactful ways.

“UCL is committed to building a strong knowledge exchange culture, and events like this go a long way to providing positive examples and a deep pool of inspiration for our staff, students, alumni and partners.”

Dr Nicola Ridgway, Senior Business and Innovation Manager, and Dr Asha Recino, Research Networks and Partnerships Manager, UCL Translational Research Office, said: 'At the Translational Research Office, we are committed to fostering industry-academia partnerships. We have been really proud to help nurture relationships like the one with Paola and supporting her collaborative work with Reata Pharmaceuticals, now Biogen. It is an excellent example of how partnerships bridging academia and industry can drive meaningful advances in understanding rare diseases and ultimately improve the lives of patients.'

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Image: credit Lucy Pope