"Large populations where scleroderma is both prevalent and high impact lack the infrastructure and financial resources," Dr. Seibold said. "I would include South Asia, China, and much of South America as currently underserved areas."
Even though findings will come from multiple research groups around the globe, Dr. Furst does not expect any significant hurdles in terms of protected data. "It just so happens that the scleroderma community is very collaborative. While there always will be some proprietary issues, partially because of governmental regulations, the overwhelming urge among scleroderma community researchers is to work together rather than to work apart."
The WSF is holding its second annual World Scleroderma Congress in Florence in February 2012. Dr. Furst said, "We already have over 500 registrants four or five months ahead. It really is very encouraging."
Dr. Furst disclosed that his scleroderma research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, Gilead, and Actelion. Dr. Matucci-Cerinic said the he had no relevant disclosures. Dr. Seibold said he has consultancy relationships with a number of companies considering drug development projects in scleroderma, including Actelion, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Genentech, Gilead, MedImmune, NexMed, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Sigma Tau, and United Therapeutics.