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Hearts and Minds combine to continue sustainable funding for medical research

MS Research Australia has been a recipient of generous funding raised through the Sohn Hearts & Minds Investment Leaders Conference for the past four years.

The 2020 conference – which brings the investment community together for philanthropic purpose – is just around the corner. This year the event is going virtual, delivering timely investment insights direct to you, to support Australian medical research institutes, including vital MS research.

A shared vision

The idea for Hearts & Minds stemmed from the founders’ desire to raise funds for Australian medical research, while providing a valuable and unique experience for their investment industry colleagues.

Since its inception in 2016 by investment industry leaders Guy Fowler, Matthew Grounds AM and Dr Gary Weiss AM, the Hearts & Minds Group has succeeded in raising over $20m for its medical research beneficiaries, of which MS Research Australia is one.

This extraordinary achievement has been made possible by the commitment of major corporate and investment industry supporters, ticket sales, media partners, event partners and listed investment company, Hearts and Minds Investments Limited (ASX:HM1).

Accelerating progress

Funding from the Hearts & Minds Group has already contributed to a number of important research projects including a project which is progressing to the safety phase of a clinical trial looking at the promotion of myelin growth in MS – an area of discovery often referred to as the ‘holy grail’ of MS research. With more investment in medical research, the cure for MS is ever closer.

How are funds raised?

In addition to funds raised at the annual conference, Hearts & Minds Investments Limited (ASX: HM1) was formed in November 2018, to expand on the philanthropic mission of the conference and create a sustainable funding model. Listed on the ASX, HM1 is a portfolio of 25-30 high conviction stocks, including stocks presented on stage at the Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference. All fund managers generously waive their fees allowing HM1 to donate 1.5% of net tangible assets per annum to leading medical research institutes. To learn more visit the HM1 website.

Dr Julia Morahan, Head of Research at MS Research Australia said “We are extremely grateful to be a recipient of funds generated from the Hearts & Minds philanthropic mission. The more funds we are able to secure, the greater the number of groundbreaking research projects we are able to support, taking us even closer to finding a cure for MS.”

Going virtual in 2020

The conference has historically been held at the iconic Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall at the Arts Centre in Melbourne.

This year on November 13, the event is going virtual. The agenda features insights and stock pitches from leading fund managers and keynotes with international thought leaders. The conference is exclusively for ticket holders, approximately 3 hours of content presented on-demand available to watch with a 48 hour access pass.

Interested in attending?

You can purchase tickets to this year’s virtual conference here. Tickets are $500 and include a significant tax deduction.

Find out more

Discover more about the Sohn Hearts & Minds philanthropic mission vision here.

Discover more about the current projects MS Research Australia funds here.

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Hearts and Minds combine to continue sustainable funding for medical research