Columbia, MD — December 3, 2025 — The Myositis Association (TMA) is proud to announce a new research partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to co-fund a groundbreaking study at Yale University aimed at advancing the understanding of inclusion body myositis (IBM), a progressive and debilitating muscle disease.
Through this collaboration, Bhaskar Roy, MBBS, MHS, of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, has been awarded a $299,992 research grant spanning three years for his project titled “In-depth characterization of immune dysfunction in inclusion body myositis.”
Dr. Roy’s research will explore how immune cells contribute to muscle degeneration in IBM. Using cutting-edge single-cell analysis, his team will examine B and T cell interactions in both muscle tissue and blood samples. The goal is to uncover novel therapeutic targets and deepen scientific understanding of the disease’s underlying mechanisms.
This partnership with MDA reflects TMA’s ongoing commitment to accelerating research that directly affects the lives of people living with myositis. Dr. Roy’s work represents a promising step toward identifying new treatment strategies for IBM, and we are proud to support it.
–Laurie Boyer, chair of TMA’s Board of Directors
This award is part of TMA’s long-standing research grants program, which focuses on developing a better understanding of myositis diseases, creating better treatments, and finding a cure for myositis diseases. Since the program began in 2002, TMA has awarded more than $8 million to fund innovative projects and fellowships to myositis researchers around the world.
“Collaboration is essential to accelerating progress for people living with neuromuscular diseases, and we are proud to partner with The Myositis Association to advance this critical research in inclusion body myositis. Dr. Roy’s work exemplifies the power of scientific innovation to uncover new insights that can ultimately lead to better treatments and improved quality of life for the IBM community. Together, we are strengthening the path toward answers that families have waited far too long for,” said Sharon Hesterlee, PhD, President and CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Association.
“Inclusion body myositis (IBM) remains one of the most complex and least understood neuromuscular diseases. By co-funding this study, Muscular Dystrophy Association and The Myositis Association are supporting a scientific approach that goes deeper into the immune mechanisms driving IBM than ever before. Dr. Roy’s use of advanced single-cell technologies has the potential to reveal new therapeutic targets and transform our understanding of how this disease progresses. We are grateful for this partnership and excited for the impact this research may have on future treatment development,” said Angela Lek, PhD, Chief Research Officer, Muscular Dystrophy Association.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and more than 300 other neuromuscular conditions. For 75 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating support and inclusion of families living with neuromuscular disease. MDA’s mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Thank you TMA and MDA!
Thank you. Living with IBM is a daily challenge. I am so happy that help is on the way.
My wife passed away November 12, 2025 after battling pneumonia for the third time in two years. She was diagnosed with IBM in 2011 at the Mayo Clinic. MDA let us down during the Covid years. Very few doctors in our region had ever had a patient with IBM. Judy had only met one other person who was clinically diagnosed with IBM and that was in the last two years. He lives only 15 miles away. Judy fell and broke her femur in 2022 and was never able to stand or walk after that. Most people would have given up but Judy had an incredible faith and determination to keep fighting, hoping a cure would be found or at least why she got IBM in the first place.
Oh David! We are so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing.
A collaboration between TMA and MDA, it would seem to me, is valuable beyond measure. I was diagnosed with IBM back in 2013 and had been suffering with muscle weakness and other related issues (dysphagia) for years. Now, at 86 years of age, I don’t expect miracles in MY lifetime, but for future generations, this parntnership may come up with the answers that we in the Myositis community, have been hoping for for years!
David- I, too, am so sorry for the loss of your wife. I was diagnosed by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN with SIBM in 2003. 23 years ago NOBODY had heard of the disease! We live in a very little town about an hour from the Clinic. After some research I found a Clinic specifically for myositis at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and was accepted as a patient of Dr Lisa Christopher-Stine. She is amazing! But the trip to Baltimore got to be too much. I am still living at home with my husband and the help of some amazing home health care- I can no longer travel very far from home. Consequently I am unable to attend TMA Patient Conferences.
I’m very thankful for Dr Roy’s study and excited to hear about his progress! God bless TMA and MDA!!