Thursday, January 18, 2007
O.C. entrepreneur gives $18 million to ALS research
Augie's Quest, a nonprofit founded by local fitness executive Augie Nieto, will donate $18 million to a Massachusetts institute for drug research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the foundation announced this week.

The funds will be spread out over three years for a project at the ALS Therapy Development Institute in Cambridge that aims to identify biochemical responses in ALS and the drugs that combat them. Nieto will serve as chairman for the Institute.

Nieto, of Corona del Mar, was diagnosed with the disorder also known as Lou Gehrig's disease in March 2005. Augie's Quest raises money for ALS research in partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Last month, Augie's Quest awarded a $500,000 grant for research and treatment of ALS at UC Irvine. The progressive, fatal disease attacks nerve cells and gradually causes complete paralysis.

Nieto, 48, co-founded Lifecycle Inc. while attending Claremont McKenna College in the late 1970s. The company eventually became Life Fitness, one of the world's largest fitness-equipment makers.

For more information visit www.augiesquest.org or www.als.net.