#United States #Michael J. Fox #Rockville, MD #LRRK2 #SciNeuro

SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals Receives $5 Million from MJFF to Propel LRRK2 Therapeutic Development

SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company dedicated to creating groundbreaking treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, proudly announces that it has secured a $5 million research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). This funding is part of MJFF's commitment to advancing therapeutic options in the field and will significantly expedite the preclinical advancements of SciNeuro's innovative anti-sense oligonucleotide program, SNP614, which targets the LRRK2 gene implicated in Parkinson's disease.

The Role of MJFF in Parkinson's Research

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is widely recognized for its instrumental role in Parkinson's research, as it vigorously supports the development of new treatments through collaborative efforts with various entities in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. MJFF has established the LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program, designed to bring together organizations that are working on developing therapies for LRRK2-related conditions. By doing so, MJFF ensures researchers and companies share critical data, resources, and expertise in their quest to accelerate therapeutic development.

Advancing SNP614: A Promising New Therapy

SNP614, SciNeuro's next-generation anti-sense oligonucleotide program, has shown impressive success in preclinical models, notably in non-human primates, where it demonstrated efficient knock-down capabilities and safety. This grant will serve as a catalyst for advancing SNP614 towards an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, positioning it for potential clinical trials in the near future.

Min Li, PhD, the Founder and CEO of SciNeuro, expressed the company’s gratitude in receiving this substantial award from MJFF, emphasizing its commitment to enriching the lives of those afflicted by Parkinson's disease through innovative therapeutic approaches. Li stated, "We believe that SNP614 has remarkable potential as a unique therapeutic strategy that can bring substantial benefits to patients in need."

Collaboration for Better Parkinson's Treatments

The partnership between SciNeuro and MJFF represents a shared goal of catalyzing progress in Parkinson's research by facilitating cross-industry collaboration aimed at improving clinical outcomes for patients. Shalini Padmanabhan, PhD, who serves as Senior Vice President and Head of Translational Research at MJFF, elaborated, "We are excited to bring SciNeuro into our global effort to enhance LRRK2-targeted therapies. Our commitment lies in leveraging collaborative networks to de-risk and expedite the therapeutic development process."

Dario Alessi, PhD, a leader at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee and a principal investigator in the LITE program, reiterated the significance of this collaboration, describing SciNeuro's ASO approach to targeting LRRK2 as scientifically promising and crucial for developing improved treatment methodologies for those living with Parkinson's disease.

SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals: Pioneering Treatments for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Founded in 2020, SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals has rapidly made a name for itself in the biopharmaceutical landscape by focusing on neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The company aims to develop disease-modifying treatment options that tackle the underlying mechanisms of these debilitating diseases. By addressing key areas such as neurovascular inflammation, protein misfolding, and immune responses, SciNeuro stands at the forefront of innovation in neurotherapeutics.

For more details about their mission and ongoing projects, visit SciNeuro—Official Website.

Conclusion

With this new grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals is poised to make significant strides in the development of treatments for Parkinson's disease. By fostering collaboration in the scientific community and developing effective applications like SNP614, both entities aim to bring hope to millions affected by neurodegenerative disorders worldwide.