Synapticure

In this episode, ALS patient and his caregiver wife pitch their virtual clinic for neurodegenerative diseases, Synapticure. Led by neurologists, behavioral health providers, and care coordinators, Synapticure has served over 1,500 patients since launching 18 months ago.

We discuss:

• The challenges with neurodegenerative care today

• How care coordination is the key to the patient experience

• The patient experience, especially helping patients get enrolled in clinical trials

• The pros and cons of starting a business with your partner

Meet the founder(s)

In 2017, Sandra Abrevaya and Brian Wallach were given a terminal diagnosis, ALS, and told that Brian may have as little as six months to live. Having met on the Obama campaign in 2008 and worked in the White House, they responded by building the most powerful patient and caregiver-led movement since the fight against HIV.

In 2019, they co-founded I AM ALS, which has been able to pass two laws and increase federal funding for ALS by over $600 million. In 2021, they co-founded Synapticure, which is the first national, virtual clinic for neurodegenerative diseases. Through Synapticure, they have been able to remake the healthcare system and bring care closer to research, accelerating the development of new treatments.

Not only has their work empowered countless families facing ALS, it has provided a blueprint that’s revolutionized patient-led advocacy and given hope to people across the country and around the world. Their resilience and their love story is captured in the film No Ordinary Campaign, winner of the Audience Award for Festival Favorites at The SXSW Film Festival.

Their story of turning pain into purpose has been featured extensively in national press, including People Magazine, The New York Times, CBS Sunday Morning News, The Today Show, NPR All Things Considered, Bloomberg News and many more.