After opening with a cocktail reception the night before, the FightSMA Annual Conference hosted a full day of researcher presentations on Monday at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. FightSMA Science Director Dr. Christian Lorson kicked off the day at 8 o’clock in the morning with a review of the basic science of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This was followed by eleven scientists who represented the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, the National Institutes of Health, university researchers, and private sector biotechnology corporations. With the contributions of the additional scientists and researchers in the audience, this diverse group openly discussed published and unpublished research, recent successes and failures, and novel tactics in the fight against SMA. The energy of the room was evident as the attendees looked towards the second day of presentations on Tuesday.