The project is aimed at exploring a genetic cause in hereditary forms of the disease as a platform for developing disease-modifying treatment that would slow or stop the progression of the disease in both hereditary and sporadic cases.
In recent years, the company has been committed to investigating variation in the gene Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (Lrrk2), the greatest known genetic contributor to PD.
By studying the role of a mutation in Lrrk2, the company’s researchers hope to be able to identify the first-ever biological markers of the disease, paving the way for earlier diagnosis of patients who have no hereditary form of the disease.
Lundbeck senior vice president of Research Kim Andersen said with this project the company hopes to confirm the hypothesis for the role of Lrrk2 in unknown origins of PD.
"That would enable us to speed up the work towards biomarkers and specific treatments targeting this gene, potentially paving the way for new and better treatments of Parkinson’s disease," Andersen said.
The MJFF grant will be used to support research to identify Lrrk2-dependent biological fingerprints in specific cells in the blood and the research program will continue over the next three years.
The identified fingerprints will be used in several ways and initially, they will provide more general information about the biological function of Lrrk2 and might help to understand important mechanisms underlying the general involvement of the Lrrk2 biology in disease onset and progression.
Secondly, it is expected that besides the more immediate outcomes listed above, the project will, in the long run, offer valuable data on identifying markers to measure progression of PD.
MJFF vice president of Research Programs Brian Fiske said Lrrk2 is one of the most promising targets of PD drug development, and therefore a high priority of The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
"Lundbeck’s project is an innovative approach that may move us closer to a disease-modifying therapy for the five million worldwide living with PD," Fiske said.