New Grants Open for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Research

By Susan Poulos, NCBiotech Writer

Combining efforts to look at common factors involved in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Alzheimer’s Association, and The W. Garfield Weston Foundation of Canada recently announced the offering of joint research grants to help discover the similarities and differences between these neurodegenerative diseases.

Eboo Picked for Fox Foundation Program

Durham-based Eboo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (EPI) is one of three U.S. biopharmaceutical companies selected by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) for its Partnering Program. This initiative promotes collaboration between awardees and industry groups as the Foundation aims to move promising projects in Parkinson’s research through the drug development pipeline. Read More

Durham-based Eboo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (EPI) is one of three U.S. biopharmaceutical companies selected by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) for its Partnering Program.

The initiative promotes collaboration between awardees and industry groups as the Foundation aims to move promising projects in Parkinson’s research through the drug development pipeline.

- See more at: http://www.ncbiotech.org/article/eboo-picked-fox-foundation-program/9701#sthash.IJqVkyvP.dpuf

Durham-based Eboo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (EPI) is one of three U.S. biopharmaceutical companies selected by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) for its Partnering Program.

The initiative promotes collaboration between awardees and industry groups as the Foundation aims to move promising projects in Parkinson’s research through the drug development pipeline.

- See more at: http://www.ncbiotech.org/article/eboo-picked-fox-foundation-program/9701#sthash.IJqVkyvP.dpuf

Durham-based Eboo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (EPI) is one of three U.S. biopharmaceutical companies selected by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) for its Partnering Program.

The initiative promotes collaboration between awardees and industry groups as the Foundation aims to move promising projects in Parkinson’s research through the drug development pipeline.

- See more at: http://www.ncbiotech.org/article/eboo-picked-fox-foundation-program/9701#sthash.IJqVkyvP.dpuf

Durham-based Eboo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (EPI) is one of three U.S. biopharmaceutical companies selected by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) for its Partnering Program.

The initiative promotes collaboration between awardees and industry groups as the Foundation aims to move promising projects in Parkinson’s research through the drug development pipeline.

- See more at: http://www.ncbiotech.org/article/eboo-picked-fox-foundation-program/9701#sthash.IJqVkyvP.dpuf

Both diseases are caused by a buildup of proteins in the brain, and both show symptoms years, or decades, after the disease process starts. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease affect six million Americans, and the numbers are expected to grow as people live longer.

By collaborating on research, the hope is that scientists will uncover hidden secrets in the existing data and develop early diagnostics, and better, more targeted treatments for both diseases.

These grants will allow researchers to take advantage of new, large data sets and biological sample collections through the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). This newly created research grant program will support initiatives including, but not limited to, those that:  

  • Analyze datasets to test hypotheses related to aging and neurodegenerative disorders;
  • Seek to identify panels or pathways that may play a role in disease mechanisms, such as around inflammation;
  • Pursue shared or disparate biochemical markers of disease risk, onset or progression;
  • Assess potential commonalities across the disease spectrum, including around other neurological disorders such as Lewy body dementia.

Eboo Versi, M.D., Ph.D., founder and chairman of Eboo Pharmaceuticals, said, "This is an excellent initiative. We know from experience that many scientific breakthroughs emerge at the interface of different disciplines and neuroscience should be no exception. North Carolina has many emerging biotechnology companies with lots of brilliant ideas that need funding so this is welcome news. The MJ Fox Foundation is already funding our company and we look forward to collaborating with the other like-minded institutions. We believe that is a new dawn that will usher in wonderful novel therapies for our patients."

All projects must use data or specimens from both PPMI and ADNI. The two-year awards will grant up to $150,000, although higher-cost projects may be considered. The W. Garfield Weston Foundation's funding contribution will go to selected Canadian researchers. 

Researchers can begin applying for the two-year awards now. More information about how and when to apply for funding through this program is available at www.alz.org/BAND.

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