The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Join us this March at the 13th Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Drug Development Summit, which is dedicated to the latest advancements in transformative drug targets, clinical approaches, brain-penetrant modalities and biomarker breakthroughs. Hear from leaders at Eli Lilly and Company, Biogen, Roche, AbbVie, Takeda and more, who are pioneering advancements in new targets, amyloid, alpha-synuclein, tau, and beyond to advance the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This includes MJFF’s Luis Miguel Oliveira, who joins the speaker faculty to showcase advancements in α-synuclein seed amplification assays and discuss novel fluid markers beyond protein aggregation. Additionally, Peter DiBiaso will represent the patient voice in industry discussions on what’s to come from the next wave of disease-modifying PD therapeutics. Learn more: https://ter.li/ieao7o

Today, our founder Michael J. Fox was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The award recognizes individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors. During a conferral ceremony at the White House, Michael was recognized as “one of the most beloved actors of our time with remarkable wit and charm.” He was honored for his boundless determination to change the future for millions living with Parkinson's. Please join us in congratulating Michael on this incredible honor and recognition of the Parkinson’s community’s joint efforts to speed better treatments and a cure. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4a2RMzE

Parkinson’s is relentless. Fortunately, so are we. The momentum we are seeing in Parkinson's research is unfolding alongside the most robust pipeline of therapeutics in history. This is due in part to The Michael J. Fox Foundation's (MJFF) strategic research agenda and the partnership of our community. MJFF has awarded over 500 research grants aimed at medication, mobility, medical devices and more to scientists around the world, all in pursuit of better treatments and closing in on a cure. Your support right now can accelerate these urgent breakthroughs. Don’t wait – time is running out to seize the momentum and make a difference in 2024. Give before the year ends and help us bring hope closer. Make a gift to research before 2024 is over: https://bit.ly/3VJnFYo

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) announces 79 grants totaling more than $100.4 million awarded in October and November 2024. Among the wide range of supported projects, our new blog reviews: • Two projects focused on finding solutions for freezing of gait • Three projects examining the role of environmental toxins in Parkinson’s disease (PD) • An effort to make clinical trial assessment tools more patient-centric Learn more: https://bit.ly/4iQKFhJ

In 2024, our policy work reached new heights as the nation’s first federal bill dedicated to ending Parkinson’s disease, the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, was signed into law. All the while, we supported dozens of bills and policy changes; lobbied for historic increases in government funding for research and care programs; secured a landmark toxic chemical ban and welcomed more than 45,000 new people to our nationwide network of policy advocates. Read our latest blog to learn more about our 2024 Parkinson's policy wins. https://lnkd.in/ebTjV2kk

This week, pharmaceutical companies reported results from two Phase II clinical trials of two respective experimental drugs designed to slow the progression of PD by targeting alpha-synuclein. • The UCB–Novartis ORCHESTRA trial of minzasolmin (UCB0599) found the drug had no effect on Parkinson’s, and the companies do not plan to continue testing. • The Roche PADOVA trial of prasinezumab did not meet its primary endpoint, but results suggested possible benefits, and the company plans to continue evaluating the data to determine next steps. The PD community has been watching these trials closely. Hear from PD experts about how to interpret the results and their implications for the field. The takeaway from our experts? "Drug development is incremental, and these early steps are essential to building knowledge and important to moving the field forward so that there is opportunity for a cure." Learn more: https://bit.ly/3DtxEL6

Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts communication, and this can make it challenging for people with the disease to be understood by others and engage in social situations. Dr. Gemma Moya Galé, Assistant Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University joins the newest episode of The Parkinson’s Research Podcast to talk about her work on voice and communication in people with PD. In particular, she discusses a novel app she and her team are developing, with funding from MJFF, to help people with Parkinson’s improve how well their speech is understood. She also shares her recent research on linguistically and culturally responsive methods for addressing communication challenges in both English- and Spanish-speaking individuals with PD, and how this approach has the potential to improve clinical care. Listen to the episode: https://bit.ly/3BvEbEu *This podcast is geared toward researchers and clinicians. If you live with Parkinson’s or have a friend or family member with PD, listen to The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast: michaeljfox.org/podcasts

"The Michael J. Fox Foundation has entered a new biologic era in Parkinson’s research. With breakthroughs like the biomarker test, we can design better treatments faster — moving us closer to a future where we treat the root causes of Parkinson’s, not just the symptoms. This is the tipping point that could lead to a cure. "But we can’t get there without you. Your support is what fuels this progress, and right now, it’s more critical than ever. Thank you for helping us accelerate these life-changing breakthroughs." - Sohini Chowdhury, MJFF Chief Program Officer From all of us at MJFF, thank you for your support. With your help, a cure is within reach.

Understanding the biology of Parkinson’s disease and turning that knowledge into better treatments is a complex undertaking. In the newest episode of our award-winning Parkinson’s Science POV series, scientists at MJFF discuss how they are tackling this problem from every angle. In the episode, we sit down with MJFF Chief Program Officer Sohini Chowdhury and other staff members to discuss their work, the projects they’re most proud of and their hopes for 2025. Whether it’s using cutting-edge imaging to get a picture of the disease in the brain or working with the community to develop better options to treat walking difficulties, our researchers are collaborating to discover the next wave of treatment options and close in on a cure. Listen to the episode: https://bit.ly/4g3nPSp

MJFF is proud to partner on the 2025 GBA1 Meeting, hosted by McGill University in Montreal from June 5–7, 2025. Join us for three days of cutting-edge research presentations, networking, and global collaboration opportunities, all aimed at advancing our understanding of GBA1-related neurodegenerative diseases. 📅 Don’t miss out—learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3BqBSm2