Fall / Winter 2020 | Research 3
While the coronavirus has slowed some in-person trials , we are expecting more Foundation-funded studies to soon begin testing therapies for other hard-to-treat symptoms such as cognitive impairment and swallowing problems .
Onward Toward A Cure
In parallel , our urgent pursuit of therapies to slow , stop or even prevent disease also marches forward . We have devoted significant resources to profiling and safely pushing therapies against the LRRK2 protein ( overactivity is associated with PD ). In August , Denali Therapeutics announced a deal with larger pharma company Biogen to co-develop its LRRK2 drugs and move one into late-stage trials in 2021 .
Also thanks to early investment from MJFF , the field of treatments against the alphasynuclein protein — which clumps in brain cells in Parkinson ’ s — has grown to 13 approaches in human trials . A nearly $ 1.4 million grant to German company MODAG will move its novel therapy , anle138b , to a trial in people with Parkinson ’ s .
Other grants are going to novel programs testing a range of therapeutic strategies . Mya Schiess , PhD , at the University of Texas is receiving $ 2.25 million for a trial evaluating stem cells from bone marrow of a living donor to fight inflammation . In the laboratory , Joseph Patterson , PhD , at Michigan State University is examining a drug ( terazosin ) used to treat enlarged prostate for its impact on Parkinson ’ s progression after a study showed it may slow the disease . This diverse portfolio and holistic strategy providing funding and resources is accelerating progress toward more therapeutic options today and fewer diagnoses tomorrow .
Funding Discovery of the Next Generation of Treatments
MJFF never stops investing in the basic bench science that could uncover new targets and point to a next generation of therapies . Studies exploring the activity of Parkinson ’ s proteins and pathways can name new ways to stop or offset damage from disease .
For example , the protein PPM1H controls activity of the LRRK2 protein . Some people with Parkinson ’ s have too much LRRK2 activity , so we are now funding development of therapies against PPM1H to limit that action and protect cells .
A key partner in supporting this critical discovery work is the Aligning Science Across Parkinson ’ s ( ASAP ) initiative . ASAP is working with The Michael J . Fox Foundation to advance basic research and recently announced $ 161 million in grants to 21 international teams teasing apart complex Parkinson ’ s biology toward novel targets and treatments . In addition , ASAP is supporting expansion of our flagship study , the Parkinson ’ s Progression Markers Initiative ( PPMI ). Data and samples from PPMI could be the materials for basic discovery . Read more on PPMI on page 8 , and visit
michaeljfox . org / asap .