At The Michael J. Fox Foundation, we believe translation requires a new kind of stakeholder. Our Research Programs team, comprising on-staff PhDs as well as business-trained project managers, works closely with both industry and academic research teams at every stage of PD therapeutics development to catalyze and support the ideas that will help take the field over the finish line in its search for transformative treatments. We stand ready to help maximize the potential of a new or expanding Parkinson's program.
Engaging Industry. Rethinking Impact.
An organization run by business leaders, we are realistic about how for-profit companies are incented to compete. We're constantly seeking new ways to custom-fit promising ideas with any and every resource we can provide - financial, scientific, collaborative or otherwise. Our goal is straightforward: speed the results of good work toward clinical testing and patients in need.
Our Foundation sits at the hub of global Parkinson's research. Each year our research staff, supported by an extensive network of scientific advisors, reviews up to 800 grant proposals; talks formally and informally with hundreds of the world's top PD experts; and convenes dozens of conferences, meetings and workshops. Our unbiased expertise, coupled with our unparalleled view of the field, allows us to broker key introductions and foster critical collaborations that can propel the best ideas forward on their path toward regulatory approval and marketability.
Consider approaching us when you:
- seek an injection of non-dilutive capital to improve robustness of pre-clinical Parkinson's data or add features to a clinical trial;
- need access to predictive tools to inform critical decisions in starting or expanding a Parkinson's program;
- have an idea for a targeted partnership at a specific stage of the Parkinson's drug development pipeline; or
- need the insight of a strategic consultant for the PD field.
We can connect potential partners, help identify the right animal model or assay, or assess emerging technologies for applicability to PD. We can help you understand the landscape of clinical research infrastructure for neurodegenerative disease. Whatever the need, we're here to help make it happen. Our goal is to tailor a solution or identify someone who can.
We want to bridge the gap between your need for return on investment, and our need to accelerate treatments to patients… because that's how to create a win-win for everyone. Read on to learn more about how we can make a difference for you.
Funding Opportunities
The Foundation encourages proposals from industry investigators and funds industry under all of its initiatives. With 24 currently active industry collaborations, and 37 since inception, the Foundation has a proven track record of effectively partnering with scientists from companies large and small, working on targets at both pre-clinical and clinical stages of development. The Foundation does not seek ownership of IP generated from research it funds.
Our Therapeutics Development Initiative allocates $5 million a year exclusively to industry researchers. Funding also is available to industry through MJFF's Edmond J. Safra Core Programs for PD Research — Rapid Response Innovation Awards, Target Validation and Clinical Intervention Awards. Additionally, we launch three to five directive "challenges" each year designed to shed light on specific aspects of Parkinson's diagnosis or treatment.
A full list of MJFF funding opportunities is available on the Foundation's Web site at www.michaeljfox.org/research_fundingOpportunities.cfm.
"The significant support we received from The Michael J. Fox Foundation was certainly a contributing factor in our ability to put together our $150-million partnership with Genzyme."
— Jeffrey Ostrove, PhD, president and CEO, Ceregene, Inc.
Novel Partnership Arrangements
The Foundation enthusiastically welcomes inquiries from companies wishing to establish significant partnerships to target specific phases of PD drug development or particular aspects of the disease. To date, the Foundation has launched two such partnerships:
Novel Approaches to Drug Discovery for Parkinson's Disease, with Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., supports work to optimize validated targets. Elan has a right of first negotiation for any compound meriting further investigation.
Cognitive Deficits and Mood Disorders in Parkinson's Disease, with Merck Serono (EMD Serono in North America), promotes preclinical and clinical research to develop treatments for cognitive deficits and behavioral disturbances associated with PD.
"Partnering with MJFF on Cognitive Deficits and Mood Disorders was a fast, efficient way to get up and running — and to fund high-impact research toward new treatments and clinical tools that will help advance the entire field that much faster."
— David Weiner, MD, senior medical director, Neurology Global Development Unit, EMD Serono, Inc.
PD Therapeutics Conference
The Foundation hosts its annual PD Therapeutics Conference in a major U.S. city each fall. This is the only major scientific symposium exclusively focused on drug development for Parkinson's disease. It brings together up to 200 academic and industry scientists from around the globe to focus on novel research advances impacting development of improved disease-modifying and symptomatic interventions for the diagnosis and treatment of PD. Select MJFF awardees present work ripe for industry investment or follow-on funding to an audience of industry researchers and business development professionals and academic researchers. Topics include novel neuroprotective agents, innovative mechanisms to address disease symptoms and improvements in relevant animal models, and biomarker discovery/ development.
In addition to scientific talks, a small poster session highlights novel targets and animal models relevant to PD research.
MJFF's Funding Portfolio
The Michael J. Fox Foundation hosts dozens of workshops and summits on various research topics throughout the year with action steps in mind. We proactively seek out industry decision-makers — both on the science and business development sides — to contribute to these meetings and inform our opinion of the field. Industry expertise on drug development is a force multiplier for interpretable outcomes from all our investments.
These sessions, which most often take place at our New York City headquarters, convene the world's top experts on Parkinson's and neurodegenerative disease to generate further clarity on specific scientific issues and challenges that impact PD drug discovery and development.
Ultimately, these meetings inform the Foundation's decisions and next steps on our funding portfolio and research priorities.
Support the Parkinson's Community
Partnering with MJFF to sponsor an event is an effective way to connect with new audiences of Parkinson's patients and/or researchers. Sponsorship opportunities at varying levels include:
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's is MJFF's annual New York City benefit evening of comedy and music. About 1,000 guests, including Michael's friends from television and film, join New York's business, social and financial leaders and members of the PD community to raise nearly $5 million for Parkinson's research each year. Entertainers have included Steven Colbert, Tony Bennett, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Jon Stewart, Wanda Sykes, James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow and Robin Williams.
Research Roundtables are hosted around the country and throughout the year. These meetings provide a crucial opportunity for Parkinson's patients and supporters to hear the latest news in Parkinson's research from the scientists directing the work. The audience includes patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and friends of the Foundation.
Team Fox is MJFF's grassroots community fundraising program that provides tools for individuals to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's research. Each year hundreds of Team Fox members bring hope for the future to families touched by Parkinson's — hope that the Parkinson's community will cross the finish line in the race to find a cure. The viral campaign allows people to turn their next marathon, golf tournament, auction or special event into an opportunity to support the work of The Michael J. Fox Foundation. As it raises awareness and funds research, Team Fox also keeps the Parkinson's community feeling inspired and empowered by their ability to make a difference.
Contact Us
Sohini Chowdhury, Associate Director, Research Programs
Alison Urkowitz, Associate Director, Research Programs
research@michaeljfox.org
(800) 708-7644
Scientific Advisory Board
The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board is a group of leading Parkinson's researchers from both academia and industry, clinicians who work with Parkinson's patients, and experts from related fields. These members come from all over the world to attend grant review assessments, workshops, and other relevant meetings to help determine which research programs will get us closer to improving Parkinson's treatments and curing the disease.
