deshe family accelerator fund

EBRP is establishing the Deshe Family Accelerator Fund (DFAF) dedicated towards funding for-profit preclinical & clinical stage EB therapies, products and potential cures.  These are later stage assets that have larger financial needs and the potential for both delivering therapeutics to the EB community and creating a financial return for EBRP.  These therapies will be within existing companies or EBRP can help in the formation of new companies. The earlier stage science will have been de-risked via previous work enabling an investment decision-making process around each project.  Consistent with EBRP's current venture philanthropy practices, any project funded must provide a meaningful clinical benefit to those living with EB. The goal is to accelerate EB therapies through the clinical trial stage with larger fundings that can be leveraged and provide a return to EBRP to continue funding research until a cure is found.

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about the Deshe Family

“We would love to see this disease gone, and we want to be a part of helping eradicate it— forever."

- Ari Deshe

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For the Deshe Family, the mission is clear, “We would love to see this disease gone, and we want to be a part of helping eradicate it—forever.” Ari Deshe, the founder and chairman of Safe Auto Insurance Co., was born with EB Simplex, as were three of his children. Ari and his family, including his wife, Ann, and their children Elie, David, Dara and Daniel, together with their spouses have decided to take an active role in making the mission to find a cure for EB a reality. As key leaders and supporters of EB Research Partnership, the Deshes have already generously donated more than $8 million, dedicated to funding research for innovative breakthrough treatments and ultimately a cure for all forms of EB.

​Their giving has funded medical advancements at leading global institutions such as Stanford University and the University of Minnesota, where scientific research teams are pioneering new treatments and an eventual cure for EB. Their support is accelerating life-saving research from university labs into clinical trials, thereby shortening the timeframe to commercialization and providing vital help to people who suffer from EB. The Deshe Family selected EBRP after an extensive search conducted by the Philanthropic Advisory Services at Bessemer Trust.

"It is hard to find a stronger partner in the fight to cure EB than the Deshe family, and we are very fortunate to have the tremendous support of Ari, Ann, Elie, David, Dara and Daniel," said Alex Silver, Chairman of EBRP. "The Deshe family wants to move this cause forward and change the lives of all those suffering from EB. We are grateful for their commitment to seeing this through. You hope for a family or donor who has compassion and heart to stay involved to help accelerate progress."

In addition to their philanthropy, Ari and Daniel serve on EBRP’s Board of Directors and the family hosts an annual event to help advance the foundation's mission to back the most promising scientific research around the world.