Fxpro Gives €5,000 to Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics

LIMASSOL, CYPRUS - 17 June 2009. FxPro Financial Services Ltd (FxPro), a leading global company competing in online trading services for foreign exchange (forex) markets and other derivatives, has donated €5,000 to the Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research in Nicosia, Cyprus.

The money will support the work of The Foundation’s research and services body, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING, www.cing.ac.cy), which provides advanced services, research and education in the areas of Neurology, Genetics and Biomedical Sciences.

Based in Nicosia, the CING aims to improve the quality of life of all Cypriots, irrespective of ethnicity and religion.  The CING offers diagnostic facilities for both common and rare diseases servicing both Cyprus and the wider region as well as providing forensic services to the Government and private sector.  

Providing approximately 65,000 examinations per year, the CING also plays a key role in training doctors, scientists, students and paramedics.  Reflecting its high quality professional reputation, CING’s 150-strong team includes 40 individuals who hold either MD or PhD titles in Neurology, Genetics and Biomedical sciences.

Commenting on FxPro’s donation, Christos Phylactou, President of CING said, “We’d like to thank FxPro for their generous donation.  As a not-for-profit, privately funded organisation we are reliant on donations of this type to ensure we continue supporting our local community through providing the best facilities, know-how and training.  Neurology, genetics and biomedical sciences play a central role in people’s health and well-being and we’re delighted that FxPro supports the work we do so generously.”

Denis Sukhotin, Chairman of FxPro added, “With our headquarters in Cyprus and our staff here being residents of this wonderful country, we recognise how fortunate we are to have The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics – the CING - doing such great work for the Cyprus community as well as the wider region.  Its parent organisation, The Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research is a highly respected and influential one, and the CING Institute offers a world-class level of expertise and resources.  We are proud to be supporting such an important organisation, whose work plays such a key role in improving our lives.”

Notes to Media

About The Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research and The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics

The Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research is the parent organization of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (Institute). It was established in 1987 under the name Muscular Dystrophy Research Trust of Cyprus by the Cyprus Muscular Dystrophy patients’ association (MDA Cyprus), Lady Langley and Dr. Lefkos T. Middleton (former Medical Director of the Institute). In 1990 the Muscular Dystrophy Research Trust created the Institute and in 1995 the Trust was renamed as the Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research.

The Institute is a bicommunal, non-profit making institution. Its staff specializes in eurology, molecular biology and all aspects of human genetics. It has an international reputation and works closely with the Cyprus Government, private doctors and scientists, the University of Cyprus as well as other Institutions and Universities from abroad.

The Institute’s staff consists of 150 individuals, 40 of whom are holders of MD and PhD titles in the fields of Neurology, Genetics and Biomedical Sciences.

Cyprus is known to have an increased frequency of inherited disorders, which place a heavy burden on the patients’ families and the Government. The Institute provides specialized services and research in neurology, genetics, DNA forensics, molecular biology, histopathology and virology. Services and research aim towards early detection and prevention of disease, the provision of high quality medical services and in general improvement in the quality of life of the community. More specifically, the Institute is dedicated to lessening the suffering of patients and their families and preventing diseases through patient care, research and educational programmes on neurological and genetic conditions such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chromosomal abnormalities and all other aspects of molecular biology and genetics such as thalassaemia, molecular virology, mental retardation, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cystic fibrosis and neurogenetics. In addition, the Institute plays a key role in the fight against crime by providing specialized DNA services to the police authorities and expert court testimony for criminal and civil investigations. The Institute provides services, as requested, to all doctors, clinics, hospitals, lawyers and the Police Authorities.

 Several of the research and teaching programmes are in collaboration with institutions and universities both from Cyprus and abroad. For example, the Institute is recognized for PhD studies by the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London. Students can pursue their PhD studies at the Institute, with joint supervision, and by spending a limited time abroad. Currently, there are 21 PhD students at the Institute.

Greek universities have also recognized the Institute as an academic institution and PhD programmes are currently being carried out at the Institute without the candidates having to spend any time abroad. Members of the Scientific Council of the Institute are the supervisors of these PhD programmes, as well as collaborating members of the relevant universities.

The Institute has signed an agreement with the University of Cyprus for the joint development of a post-graduate programme in Medical Genetics at MSc and PhD levels.  Commencement of the programme is expected in 2010.

A unique feature of the Institute is the combination of services and research. In biomedical sciences and medicine the ultimate aim of research is to solve medical problems and improve the health and quality of life of the community. Services provide the material for such research. The bigger the volume of services the greater is the opportunity for the scientists to come in contact with clinical problems; also the bigger the volume of material available for research, the higher are the possibilities of attracting major research grants. With major grants, better solutions to clinical problems can be found, resulting in the provision of higher quality services. Thus, both service and research enter into a positive feedback loop. The result is a centre of excellence.

As a result of the specialized services carried out at the Institute, substantial financial savings to the Government have been achieved by sparing patients and samples from having to be sent abroad.

The Institute is now in a unique position to serve not only the needs of Cyprus but also those of neighbouring countries.

For further information, please visit www.cing.ac.cy.

About FxPro

FxPro is the brand name of FxPro Financial Services Ltd. Founded in 2006, FxPro is a leading global company competing in the forex markets, trading in derivatives with the use of leverage. Our goal is to become the world’s preferred FX broker, while at the same time achieving high returns for shareholders. FxPro is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and operates under the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). We serve clients in more than 120 countries, with trading and customer support 24 hours a day, five days a week. For further information, please visit www.FxPro.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Robert White
E-mail: pr@fxpro.com
Tel: +357.25.969.231