2021 in Review and What ’ s Next
7 accelerate progress at key inflection points , making key introductions in the field and generally doing whatever it takes to ensure no promising science languishes for lack of funding or focus .
For example , the Foundation has granted more than $ 5 million to AC Immune since 2015 for its pursuit of a tool to allow scientists to visualize alpha-synuclein in the living brain — something that has never been possible in Parkinson ’ s before and has proved game-changing in Alzheimer ’ s research . An imaging tracer would speed development and testing of new treatments by allowing more nuanced selection of study participants and faster assessment of therapeutic impact on underlying disease biology . ( See “ Tracing Parkinson ’ s ,” page 5 .)
Read more on this deal and the 12 other ongoing human studies in alpha-synuclein at michaeljfox . org / asynpipeline .
What ’ s Next for Alpha-synuclein
+ Recruiting critical volunteers : Many alpha-synuclein trials will continue recruiting participants in 2022 . MJFF is working hard to educate and engage potential research volunteers in support of more efficient studies , faster results and future testing . ( To learn more , visit foxtrialfinder . org .)
+ Harnessing our natural immunity to speed new treatments : Immunotherapy has yielded tremendous results in cancer research over recent decades . The body ’ s defense system could similarly hold potential to drive next-generation Parkinson ’ s treatments . Pharmaceutical firms AstraZeneca and Takeda are leading this field with an ongoing alpha-synuclein antibody trial . Their approach introduces antibodies engineered to try and clear out the problematic protein . Results from the trial are expected in 2022 .
+ Visualizing success in imaging : As AC Immune ’ s imaging tracer trial nears results , other MJFF grantees plan to enter human testing in the coming 12 to 18 months . More shots on goal means more chances to achieve this game-changing tool .