Promising Parkinson's Disease Research Highlighted by The Michael J. Fox Foundation to Accelerate Drug Development

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Research projects from three biopharmaceutical companies in the United States comprise the 2013 second half (2H 2013) of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) Partnering Program. Among the most promising in the MJFF portfolio, Partnering Program participants' research projects are presented directly to industry groups who may wish to invest in further development of the project. By connecting industry leaders with those studies ripe for investment, the Foundation aims to drive forward promising research in Parkinson's disease (PD) through the pipeline of drug development and eventually into patients' hands.

Non-confidential overviews of the selected MJFF-funded projects are shared with industry contacts and more broadly via MJFF's website twice yearly (previously quarterly).

Selected for the MJFF Partnering Program 2H 2013 are:

Eboo Pharmaceutical Inc.'s development of a unique series of compounds that have the potential to alleviate PD symptoms and mitigate the motor complications (dyskinesia) related to dopamine replacement therapy. Eboo Pharmaceutical is testing delta agonist/mu antagonist compounds; basic research has shown delta agonists ease PD symptoms and that blocking mu opioid receptors can prevent dyskinesia. The study met its first milestone with demonstration of no dyskinesia liability in pre-clinical models. Pharmacokinetic assessment of candidate compounds is scheduled for Q2 2014.

FPRT Bio Inc.'s pre-clinical study of an injectable form of XPro1595, an inhibitor of TNF that "turns off" inflammation to stop the loss of dopaminergic neurons and prevents disease progression. In earlier research, peripheral administration of XPro1595 reached therapeutic levels and had a positive impact on disease pathology. FPRT Bio hopes to start clinical trials soon further exploring subcutaneous injection of XPro1595 as a disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson's disease.

MentiNova Inc.'s repurposing of a compound developed for pain management for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia and other hyperkinetic movement disorders. The compound, co-administered with levodopa, showed significant anti-dyskinetic efficacy and did not impact the anti-parkinsonian activity of levodopa in pre-clinical models. Next steps are to advance the compound into clinical testing while optimizing an oral formulation, as the current injectable form is not conducive to chronic use.

To date, the Foundation has funded more than $400 million in research, more than $100 million of which has been directed to nearly 225 unique projects led by industry partners.

For more information on the MJFF Partnering Program 2H 2013 participants and previously featured grantees, visit https://www.michaeljfox.org/research/opportunities-for-industry/partnering-program.html.

The MJFF Research Partnerships team can be reached at [email protected].

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers.  In addition to funding more than $400 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. For more information, visit us on the Web, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research