US-based biopharmaceutical company Anida Pharma has received a grant from the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to carry out pre-clinical research into neurodegenerative disease using its lead compound Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1).
The grant is Anida’s first from MJFF and its value has not been disclosed.
Anida Pharma president and CEO Dr Per Gjorstrup said the company was looking forward to building its scientific relationship with MJFF.
"The grant will not only provide funding but equally important will bring Anida into the network of outstanding experts that support MJFF’s mission to accelerate translational research and bring new disease-modifying treatment options to patients with Parkinson’s disease," Gjorstrup said.
NPD1, an endogenous DHA-derived lipid mediator, activates prosurvival pathways with stimulation of neurite outgrowth and inhibits apoptosis by regulating protein phosphorylation leading to reduced proteotoxic cell death.
Anida has demonstrated that the compound can be successfully delivered to the central nervous system during preliminary pre-clinical studies.
MJFF’s senior associate director of research programmes Dr Sonal Das said the complexity of the human disease process suggests a multi-modal approach like that of NPD1 may increase the likelihood of clinical success.
"A drug that simultaneously acts on several pathways implicated in Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology has particular potential as a disease-modifying therapeutic," Das said.
MJFF, the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, has provided funding of more than $350m since its establishment.
Image: NDP1’s multi-modal approach has potential as a disease-modifying therapeutic, according to MJFF. Photo: courtesy of Marvin 101.
