29. August 2005  
Duesseldorf / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

Ziesmer meets Kinigadner...

A first encounter:
Heinz Kinigadner, Ronny Ziesmer

Austrian multiple Motocross World Champion Heinz Kinigadner, whose son Hannes met with a similar dramatic sports accident like Ronny Ziesmer, made acquaintance with the ex-gymnast from Cottbus in a get-to-know- as well as competence discussion round in Duesseldorf.
The reunion was hosted by scientists from the University of Duesseldorf Medical School and NEURAXO Biotec Inc., both currently achieving remarkable results and progresses in studies concerning the regeneration of neuronal tissue. Thus, in addition to getting to know each-other, the meeting featured scientific lectures and oral presentations on the state of research.

Ronny Ziesmer and Heinz Kinigadner in conversation with Prof. Dr. Hans Werner Müller (University of Düsseldorf; 2nd from right) and Dr. Jan Schwab (Tübingen; on the right)

Heinz Kinigadner (AUT)

Similar destinies...
Three years after the Paris-Dakkar Race 2000, when retired Austrian multiple Motocross World Champion (1984, 250ccm MX-class) Heinz Kinigadner - today sports director at world famous (motor-)cycling sports brand 'KTM' - set an end to his career; his 20 year old son Hannes seriously injured himself at a charity race, in an accident similar to the training accident of German national gymnastics team member Ronny Ziesmer, both remaining paraplegic ('Tetraplegics') since.

From the time when the accident happened, his father, Heinz Kinigadner, planned creating a foundation, being tremendously supported by Austrian trademark beverages company Red Bull, the 'Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation'.
Recently both parts have established contact.

The common interest in advances of research of NEURAXO Biotec Inc. and experts from the University of Duesseldorf resulted in a meeting with scientific lectures organized by NEURAXO last Friday.

Heinz Kinigadner, Ronny Ziesmer and the Board of Management of Neuraxo Biotec Rainer Lichtenberger (Managing Director, on the right) and Dr. Herbert Troescher (Member of the Supervisory Board)

Both, Ronny Ziesmer as well as Heinz Kinigadner caught up on the state and perspectives of research relating to the regeneration ability of neuronal tissue within the central nervous system and agreed on arranging intensive contacts in the future, in particular in connection with Ronny Ziesmer’s intended structure of an 'ALLIANCE OF HOPE', involving global cooperation as well as sensible concentration and pooling of all means and forces in order to attain progresses for the treatment of spinal cord injured patients.

Dr. Susanne Hermanns explaining the current state of neurologic research

Hopeful research results prior to clinical trials...
In attendance of scientific experts, like Prof. Dr. Hans Werner Müller from the University of Düsseldorf, Dr. Jan Schwab (Wings for Life) and the Neuraxo Board of Management, Dr. Susanne Hermanns (Head of the Department of Research , Neuraxo Biotec) lectured on the current state of research just prior to the start of clinical trials with neurological drug 'Cordaneurin', trials also involving Dr. Andreas Niedeggen

'Wings for Life' - Support from Formula 1

Following the invitation of Heinz Kinigadner, Ronny Ziesmer also decided on traveling to the Island of Ibiza in early September, where in the run-up to the Formula 1-Race in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium Grand Prix) a Charity-Event called 'Battle of Kings' will take place to benefit spinal cord injured people and the 'Wings for Life' Foundation.

<< Image: Advertising space on F1-race cars

Ronny is going to meet up both with likewise paralyzed Hannes Kinigadner as well as with the stars of the international motor sporting scene: as with Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard, Juan-Pablo Montoya or Niki Lauda, all of them actively supporting 'Wings for Life'.
(c) gymmedia; E. Herholz