Michio Hirano: The US doctor parents hope can save Charlie Gard
Written by News on 15/07/2017
The identity of a US doctor who has offered to treat terminally ill Charlie Gard has been revealed.
In the High Court on Friday, Mr Justice Francis said Michio Hirano, a professor of neurology at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, could now be named.
Charlie’s parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates want the judge to rule that their 11-month-old son, who suffers from a rare genetic condition, should be allowed to undergo a therapy trial overseen by Dr Hirano in New York.
But who is Dr Hirano and how can he help?
:: Developments at the High Court on Friday
:: What next for Charlie Gard case?
:: Timeline: Parents’ battle to save Charlie Gard
Dr Hirano studied at Harvard College and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed his neurology training at Columbia University Medical Center.
His research focuses on mitochondrial diseases – a group of disorders caused by dysfunctional mitochondria which fail to produce enough energy for cell or organ function – and his areas of expertise include neuromuscular disease, myopathy (muscle disease) and muscular dystrophy.
He is an elected member of the American Neurological Association and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.
On Thursday, Dr Hirano gave evidence to the High Court, via a link from New York.
The judge said he wanted to hear what he believes has changed since he gave his ruling in April.
Dr Hirano responded by saying he has clinical data which was not available in April and that he still believes the therapy is "worth trying" on Charlie.
The doctor estimated a 10% chance of improvement in muscle strength and a "small but significant" improvement in brain function.
Dr Hirano is due to travel to London on Tuesday to examine Charlie.
(c) Sky News 2017: Michio Hirano: The US doctor parents hope can save Charlie Gard
