What's Happening?
Acurex Biosciences, a biotechnology company based in San Carlos, California, has been awarded a grant from Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation. The grant will support a multi-year collaboration
led by Dr. Tim Greenamyre of the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on a novel therapeutic approach for Parkinson’s Disease. The research targets the enzyme 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), which is believed to contribute to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells in Parkinson’s patients. Acurex aims to develop small-molecule medicines to block 15-LO, potentially offering treatments that go beyond symptom management to address the underlying disease progression.
Why It's Important?
This grant represents a significant step for Acurex Biosciences in its mission to develop disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s Disease. By targeting the underlying biology of nerve cell damage, Acurex hopes to create therapies that can alter the course of the disease, offering new hope to patients. The collaboration with leading researchers and the support from ASAP and The Michael J. Fox Foundation highlight the potential impact of Acurex's approach. Success in this research could lead to breakthroughs in how Parkinson’s Disease is treated, potentially improving outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.
What's Next?
Acurex and its academic partners will work to advance their lead drug candidates toward human clinical trials. The research will focus on defining how 15-LO contributes to brain cell loss and identifying ways to interrupt this process. The company is also preparing to raise Series A funding to support the progression of its programs through human trials. As part of the ASAP Collaborative Research Network, Acurex aims to deepen its understanding of Parkinson’s Disease and accelerate the development of new treatments.
