Photo : Anne McClain
JULY | 2017 AUG | 2017
LRRK2 GOES TO SPACE
The Foundation partners with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space ( CASIS ) to send a key Parkinson ’ s protein to the International Space Station for growth under microgravity conditions . Microgravity may allow bigger , more regular LRRK2 protein crystals to grow , which helps solve the protein ’ s structure . That information could help scientists design optimized therapies against LRRK2 , a key target in the pursuit of a Parkinson ’ s cure .
GOCOVRI ATTAINS FDA APPROVAL
Gocovri , an extended-release amantadine capsule , becomes the first drug specifically approved to treat dyskinesia — uncontrolled , involuntary movements that can develop with long-term levodopa use . MJFF helps move the drug to market by developing an outcome scale used to demonstrate the efficacy of the drug . And human studies of Gocovri leading up to the approval are among the first to benefit from MJFF ’ s smart-match tool for Parkinson ’ s studies .
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