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Home arrow News Archives arrow News & Reports 2005 arrow Fox Foundation backs trial of protein discovered by Hope Center researchers
Fox Foundation backs trial of protein discovered by Hope Center researchers PDF Print E-mail

11/28/05- New York, NY

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) announced a grant of approximately $370,000 over three years to Ceregene, Inc., a biotechnology company based in San Diego, that will partially fund the first clinical trials for CERE-120, a breakthrough gene therapy product shown to slow or stop progression of Parkinson's disease in pre-clinical trials. 

CERE-120 works by delivering Neurturin, a potent growth (neurotrophic) factor, to affected brain areas by viral vector.  Neurturin was discovered in 1996 by the Hope Center investigators, Paul Kotzbauer, Gene Johnson, and Jeff Milbrandt. 

Clinical studies of Neurturin follow those of GDNF (glial-derived neurotrophic factor), a member of the same protein family which has previously been tested in people with Parkinson's.  Both compounds maintain survival of the dopamine-producing nerve cells which are required for normal bodily movement but degenerate in people with The current clinical trials were initiated in September 2005 without the Fox Foundation grant.  "We're pleased to have Fox Foundation support to optimize our clinical tests of CERE-120," said Jeffrey M. Ostrove, Ph.D., president and CEO of Ceregene. "This funding will allow us to gather, in the shortest time possible, the data needed to know if we are on to a safe therapy that might slow or stop the progression of the disease -- something no treatment on today's market can do."

"The Phase I trial of CERE-120 brings several Foundation priorities to bear," said Deborah W. Brooks, Michael J. Fox Foundation president and CEO. "These include investigating the neurorestorative properties of neurotrophic factors, advancing translational research, and shortening the time it takes to turn basic research advances into meaningful therapies for patients." She also indicated that the grant would allow for more imaging and clinical assessments, allowing for a shorter time of completion.

Written By Caroline C. Blaker for the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, with information from Ceregene Inc.and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.