Biology
Biomarkers
Therapies
2017 Annual Report
Biology
Characterization of disease is the backbone of all research progress.
MJFF funds basic and translational science to identify and characterize disease biology, vital to measure Parkinson’ s onset / progression or target the disease with new treatments. Exploring cellular functions, defining protein structures, and studying pathological mechanisms in the presence of genetic mutations tee up field-wide advances in therapeutic experimentation and optimization. The Foundation pumps tens of millions of dollars a year into this critical work.
Biomarkers
Objective disease measures speed drug development.
MJFF leads a landmark public-private partnership, among other efforts, to identify and validate candidates for Parkinson’ s biomarkers( objective indicators of disease such as blood sugar and diabetes) and develop tests to measure Parkinson’ s pathology and symptoms. Toward these goals, researchers are looking at biological factors such as protein levels in addition to phenotypic measures including, for example, eye movement and activity levels( via wearable devices). Objective disease tests would speed drug development by identifying people most likely to respond to treatment, tracking disease progression and assessing therapeutic impact.
Therapies
Transforming early-stage ideas into therapies requires strategy.
The Foundation’ s donor-raised capital behaves differently from that of commercial or government research funders in that tangible patient benefit is the only ROI we seek. This frees, indeed obligates, us to seek out and“ derisk” pre-clinical therapeutic studies by helping assemble the data required to attract bigger funders who can advance these projects through more expensive later stages of testing. In addition, MJFF funds trials of repurposed drugs approved for other conditions but that have shown evidence in treating Parkinson’ s disease.
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