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UCLH Charity is delighted to announce a generous £1.5 million donation from the Bukhman Philanthropies to support the ENRICH Study - (Encephalopathy of the Newborn: Remote Ischaemic Post Conditioning +/- Hypothermia).
This three-year funding commitment will enable ground-breaking research into innovative therapies aimed at improving outcomes for infants affected by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a leading global cause of brain injury in newborns caused by lack of oxygen and blood flow during or shortly after birth. In the UK alone, over 1,000 babies are affected by HIE each year.
The ENRICH study, led by Professor Nikki Robertson, Professor of Perinatal Neuroscience at UCL and Honorary Consultant Neonatologist at UCLH, will explore the potential of Remote Ischemic Post-Conditioning (RIPostC), a promising treatment that helps protect the brain without needing an infusion of a medicine to reduce brain damage in babies affected by HIE. RIPostC works by stimulating the body’s own natural defences to protect brain tissue after oxygen deprivation.
Through this study, Professor Robertson and her team from the Neonatal Neuroprotection Research Group in the Institute for Women’s Health, UCL aim to evaluate whether combining PIPostC with existing treatments, such as cooling (therapeutic hypothermia), can provide extra brain protection and reduce long-term disabilities in affected babies. The UCL Translational Research Office works closely with Professor Robertson and is delighted to be involved with this exciting project.
Professor Robertson said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Bukhman Philanthropies for this transformative gift. This generous funding allows us to explore groundbreaking neuroprotective treatments that could revolutionise the care of newborns facing life-threatening brain injuries and improve outcomes for countless newborns in the UK and beyond. As we mark Action for Brain Injury Awareness Week, this support feels especially timely - highlighting the urgent need for continued research and innovation to protect the most vulnerable at the very start of life.”
David Probert, Chief Executive, UCLH added:
“Philanthropic support, like that from Bukhman Philanthropies, enables us to push the boundaries of medical research, especially where NHS funding is not available. We are truly excited about the potential impact of the ENRICH Study and are grateful for Bukhman Philanthropies’ vital role in making this critical research possible.”
Daria Bukhman, Co-Founder and Chair at Bukhman Philanthropies:
“We are deeply honoured to support the vital and pioneering research led by Professor Robertson and her team. At Bukhman Philanthropies, we believe that philanthropy plays a crucial role in advancing cutting-edge research that leads to real, practical improvements in neonatal care, ultimately transforming outcomes for the most vulnerable babies and their families.”
Bukhman Philanthropies was founded by Dmitri and Daria Bukhman, reflecting their diverse philanthropic aspirations driven by a shared commitment to creating meaningful change and building a brighter collective future. Their core focus areas include Neonatal and Maternal Support, Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young Adults, and Literature.
