Research
Category
A Comprehensive
Approach to
Parkinson’s
An update from our CEO
THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION (MJFF)
takes a comprehensive approach to Parkinson’s
disease. We work to understand the full scope of
resources that Parkinson’s researchers need, and
do everything we can to provide them.
Today, there is a robust pipeline of therapies in
development for Parkinson’s thanks to MJFF
support. While we continue to help new ideas
enter the pipeline, we are devoting more of
our efforts to ensure those programs have all
the resources necessary to succeed. MJFF is
creating cohorts and providing researchers with
recruitment and support for clinical trials, data
and biospecimens to test new ideas and develop
diagnostic measures, and tools specific for
Parkinson’s.
It begins with a willingness to take risks.
Innovative ideas for new therapies are often
untested, which makes it difficult for them to get
funding. MJFF was founded to take bold chances
and help these ideas move forward. Now, two
therapies we supported in early clinical trials
are being reviewed by the FDA and, if approved,
could be available in just a few months.
As detailed in the cover story of this newsletter,
these therapies — an inhaled form of levodopa
and an under-the-tongue strip of apomorphine
— are on track to become the first funded by
MJFF to reach patients.* Both are designed to
treat “off ” episodes in Parkinson’s, which are
periods when medication levels fluctuate and
motor symptoms recur. Patients report that “off ”
episodes seriously impact their quality of life,
which is why treating them was a priority for the
Foundation. (Read more about "off" times on
pages 10 and 11.)
Each of these resources represents significant
time, expertise and money. No single researcher
or company could have provided them to the
entire field, but thanks to your support, The
Michael J. Fox Foundation can — and will.
This year, we are on track to invest more than
$85 million in research. Together, we are driving
progress.
Thank you for all you do.
*At press time, both of these therapies were in review
by the FDA with decisions expected in January 2019.
100+ Tools for Researchers 26 Therapies in Clinical Trials
MJFF sponsors the creation of tools that
are vital for developing new therapies for
Parkinson’s and makes them easily accessible
for all researchers. More than 25 therapies supported by
MJFF have reached human clinical trials.
We are working to advance even more to
this critical stage.
3
Fall/Winter
The Fox Focus
2018