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MUHAMMAD
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FOCUS
O N PA R K I N S O N ’ S
Sowing the Seeds of Success:
The Science of “De-Risking” Research
New cause for optimism in the Parkinson’s pipeline
by LOREN DeVITO, PhD
Parkinson’s research is risky. As any scientist can
tell you, most experiments never make it past the
Petri dish. The journey of a potential new drug
through multiple modes and phases of testing is a
long and twisting one, with countless challenges
along the way. Yet in spite of these odds, some
ideas do ultimately succeed and become medicines
that improve human health.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) exists
to “de-risk” the research process for the most
promising new ideas in Parkinson’s disease (PD),
so that more of them cross the finish line. We tackle
roadblocks head-on, supporting early-stage testing
where researchers need to generate data to build
the case for their idea, and addressing systemic
challenges that can help science move faster.
And it’s working. Over the past several months,
at an increasingly rapid pace, investments made
by our Foundation at early stages of promising
research have accelerated multiple compounds.
Today, more potential new Parkinson’s drugs than
ever before are pulling ahead on their journey
Grand Central Station
P.O. Box 4777
New York, NY 10163-4777
www.michaeljfox.org
800 708 7644
(continued on page 4)
In This Issue
7
8
10
17
Fall/Winter 2016
Research Briefs
MJFF’s Public
Policy Priorities
Dr. Dolhun Talks PD:
New Therapies
Draw for the 2016
Nike Mag
Fall/Winter 2016
Photo by Mark Seliger
THE FOX