Former JD exec donates to research into ALS disease that afflicts him

Cai Lei, former vice-president of e-commerce giant JD, signed a donation agreement with Westlake Education Foundation to support ongoing research efforts by Westlake University's scientific teams into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Cai, an ALS patient, has spent the past four years establishing the world's largest ALS patient research data platform, connecting 15,000 patients and initiating the creation of China's ALS brain and spinal cord pathology research sample library.

"This donation is not merely a financial contribution, it also embodies a commitment to the spirit of scientific research, preserving and promoting its values," Cai said. "Neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS represent a universal challenge for humanity. I believe Westlake University has the potential to become a pivotal force in overcoming ALS."

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is an irreversible neurodegenerative condition regarded as one of the most challenging terminal illnesses in the world. The disease progressively diminishes patients' strength and control, leading to the inability to speak, swallow or breathe, ultimately resulting in death. The treatment challenges for ALS include unknown causes, unclear therapeutic targets, rapid and irreversible progression, weak drug efficacy and a heavy reliance on caregiving.

Diagnosed in September 2019, Cai's condition has now advanced to the late stages. On the day of the signing ceremony, he was unable to attend in person and was represented by his wife, Duan Rui, while he participated via video link.

Cai said Westlake University, as a dynamic institution dedicated to higher education and scientific innovation, not only boasts top-tier research teams and advanced experimental platforms, but also demonstrates exceptional strength and potential in interdisciplinary research and open collaboration.

As early as 2018, a group of researchers at the university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, showed great interest in rare diseases, establishing related projects and continuously researching various areas such as stem cells, tumor mechanism research, neurodegenerative diseases and immunotherapy.

Liu Xiaodong, who set up the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Developmental Regenerative Medicine Laboratory in the university's School of Life Sciences, became involved in ALS research in 2021. He subsequently formed a joint ALS research team with Lei Kai, principal investigator in the School of Life Sciences, focusing on constructing disease models for ALS. They aim to use the models for drug screening and evaluation to better understand disease mechanisms and explore new drug and cell therapy methods.

Shi Yigong, the university's president, said: "Over 7,000 rare diseases have been identified worldwide, with only about 5 percent having available treatments. Conquering rare diseases is a global scientific and medical endeavor, and it is part of Westlake University's mission."

Cai and the university plan to deepen cooperation and exploration in disciplines such as neurobiology, immunology and microbiology, and cell biology. They aim to advance scientific research from the laboratory to clinical applications, striving to bring new hope to ALS patients as soon as possible.