Muscular Dystrophy Association Launches New Venture Philanthropy

TUCSON, Ariz., April 1, 2009 — The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) today announced the launch of a new initiative, MDA Venture Philanthropy (MVP), which will be a wholly owned subsidiary of MDA. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MVP will break with traditional philanthropy models for funding research by applying the tools of venture capital firms to fast track the development of new therapies and cures for muscular dystrophy and related diseases.