KGI Faculty to Co-Edit Journal of Rare Disorders
The world of rare disease research will get a new forum to exchange ideas and report discoveries thanks to the publication of a new e-journal to be titled "The Journal of Rare Disorders." The journal will be co-edited by KGI faculty Ian Phillips and Timothy R. Coté, and published by Scientific Communications Group. Phillips is the Norris Professor of Life Sciences at KGI and serves as the director of the Center for Rare Disease Therapies, a research and advocacy center based at Keck Graduate Institute. Coté, a professor of practice at KGI, is also the chief medical officer for the National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD).
Rare Diseases affect 25 million patients in the United States, and until now there was no single journal in the United States dedicated to the discussion of these disorders. "This is the first journal devoted to rare disorders in the USA" says Phillips "and it comes from the Center for Rare Disease therapies at KGI. There was no one place before for advancing all rare disorders. We hope this new journal will be of great service for researchers, doctors patient advocate groups and companies developing orphan therapies."
Initially, "The Journal of Rare Disorders," will be published quarterly. It will be an open access, online journal that provides a forum for original research, open-label studies, regulatory issues, review articles, case reports and editorials on all aspects of diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.
This peer-reviewed, publication will cover the latest advances in rare disorders. It will spotlight new developments in treatment and regulatory affairs, and help doctors in their continuing efforts to tackle difficult-to-diagnose diseases. "Rare disease is a neglected area of research," Phillips adds, "markets are small by definition and the leading advocates are parents of sick children, or frustrated patients seeking diagnosis and treatment. As more companies develop therapies the journal will fill a need to communicate." The e-journal is aiming to launch its inaugural issue in November 2012.