Medical Research & Talent|September 29, 2026
Valhalla's medical research program has been exploring the relationship between the human microbiome and disease, as part of our search for ways to diagnose and treat Multiple Sclerosis before the disease progresses. We are excited to support the Mayo Clinic's recent progress in establishing links between microbiome patterns and various early-onset cancers, which will inform broader research into the microbiome.
Medical Research & Talent|October 6, 2025
Octave Bioscience has secured a grant from the Valhalla Foundation to accelerate development of the world’s first biomarker-based blood test designed to track multiple sclerosis progression. Building on its MS Disease Activity Test, Octave aims to refine its multi-protein, AI-driven “MSDP” Test to help physicians detect and anticipate disease advancement earlier, shifting care from reactive to preemptive. With this funding, Octave will partner with leading academic centers to validate new protein biomarkers and refine algorithms toward commercial readiness.
Medical Research & Talent|September 8, 2025
In this TED Talk, Dr. David Fajgenbaum shares how nearly dying led him to discover his own cure and launch Every Cure, a nonprofit dedicated to repurposing existing FDA-approved drugs to treat countless diseases. His journey from patient to pioneer shows how lifesaving solutions may already be within reach.
Medical Research & Talent|April 5, 2025
UCSF’s Dr. Stephen Hauser has received the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his transformative work on multiple sclerosis. His discovery of B cells as key drivers of the disease led to highly effective therapies now used worldwide, redefining MS treatment and improving outcomes for countless patients.
Medical Research & Talent|March 20, 2025
Every Cure is harnessing artificial intelligence to expedite drug repurposing efforts, aiming to uncover new treatments for rare diseases. By analyzing existing medications, they seek to identify potential new applications, offering hope to patients with limited treatment options.
Medical Research & Talent|January 17, 2023
Sometimes research takes scientists to unexpected places, even alpaca farms. Tobiloba Oni is one of two Valhalla Fellows at Whitehead Institute who are researching ways to harness our natural defenses to combat cancer, an approach called immunotherapy.
Medical Research & Talent|December 8, 2022
Using new machine learning techniques, researchers at at the Cell Design Institute at UCSF, in collaboration with a team at IBM Research, have developed a virtual molecular library of thousands of “command sentences” for cells, based on combinations of “words” that guided engineered immune cells to seek out and tirelessly kill cancer cells.
Medical Research & Talent|September 16, 2022
A new study published by the International MS Microbiome Study Consortium links gut bacteria to MS susceptibility, severity and treatment.
Medical Research & Talent|September 12, 2022
Biochemist Lindsey Backman, who studies the structure and function of proteins in microbial organisms, is the newest member of the Whitehead Fellows Program.
Medical Research & Talent|April 6, 2022
This year’s Scientific Breakthrough Award, funded by the American Brain Foundation, has been awarded to Stephen Hauser, MD, for helping to understand the genetic basis, immune processes, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). The award recognizes the work of an individual or a team whose research has contributed to advances in the care of people living with MS or another neurological disease.