Autoimmune disease is often described as the immune system attacking the body. That is a useful starting point, but it leaves out the deeper problem researchers must solve: what causes a normal immune response to become harmful, chronic, and difficult to control?

Praespero’s founder Laurie Venning had the incredible privilege of visiting three scientists in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) that we support through our various programs: Dr. Marc Horwitz, Dr. Lisa Osborne, as well as Dr. Maria Tokuyama. It was an unplanned, impromptu visit and we’re so glad it could happen! The photos say it all. Laurie peering through a microscope. Laurie leaning in with rapt attention as Dr. Horwit

Meet Praespero Founder Laurie Venning. Extreme work ethic is in his DNA. Literally. While his drive and passion opened doors to staggering entrepreneurial success and innovation, it carried a dark secret that was only uncovered after a debilitating diagnosis at age 42. Laurie Venning’s autoimmune system works almost as hard as he does. Before being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Laurie and several of his family members suffered through the consequences of a health syste

Millions of North Americans suffer with debilitating, malfunctioning autoimmune conditions and there are more than 100 known autoimmune...

Autoimmune diseases affect millions worldwide, yet the research landscape can feel like an uphill battle for many scientists. At...

Autoimmunity is a misunderstood gift . It means “self-protection.” “Auto” means “self.” It derives from the ancient Greek word...

Previously, we learned that the immune system serves to differentiate “healthy” self cells from unhealthy “self cells” like cancer or...

Who knew that collaboration is revolutionary? Every organization says they collaborate, right? But leaders at Praespero identified an...