The Howard Foundation was created by Dr Alan Howard in 1982 with the initial aim of funding new buildings at Downing College and also biomedical research. Three buildings were funded which now enclose the Howard Court at Downing: the Howard Building; the Howard Lodge and the Howard Theatre. 


Biomedical research has been funded consistently for over forty years. Since 2009, the Foundation has supported research at the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI) led by Professor John Nolan. The centre studies the role of nutrition for vision, cognitive function and prevention of age-related diseases. With support from the Foundation and others they conducted a number of clinical trials and published papers that examine the benefits to visual function of giving a supplement containing the three macular carotenoids (Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin) to both healthy adults and people with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).


These studies expanded into other populations, including patients with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment. This added omega-3 fatty acids to the carotenoid supplement.  


The Foundation are co-founders and sponsors of the BON conference. (www.bonconference.org)


In March 2023, the patent and trade mark portfolio relating to macular carotenoids was sold to Maravilla, a company formed by the two main commercial partners, IOSA and Macuhealth. (www.maravillaip.com)

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