BioFocus DPI, in Collaboration With the University College London Institute of Neurology, Receives Rapid Response Innovation Award From The Michael J. Fox Foundation
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Saffron Walden, UK (25 June 2013) – BioFocus announced today that it has received a Rapid Response Innovation Award from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, a not-for-profit organization focused on developing therapies for Parkinson’s disease. BioFocus will use the investment to develop a high-throughput, high-content assay platform to support the discovery of targets and agents that break the pathogenic loop between glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and a-synuclein, considered to be a major mechanism leading to Parkinson’s disease.
The project is further supported by a new collaboration between BioFocus and Professor Tony Schapira, Institute of Neurology, University College London, a renowned medical researcher in Parkinson’s disease.
Prof. Tony Schapira commented: “The link between mutations in the GBA gene and Parkinson’s disease has been affirmed by multiple clinical studies. The development of a disease-relevant cell model system to support drug discovery on this mechanism will be a critical asset to the Parkinson’s disease research community.”
Prof. Julie Frearson, Senior Director Scientific Alliances and Translational Research, BioFocus, said: “We are delighted and honored to receive this grant. This funding will allow BioFocus to continue tackling novel and challenging therapeutic mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease.”
Contacts:
For BioFocus:
Professor Julie Frearson
Tel: +44 1799 533 500
Email: julie.frearson@glpg.com
Media enquiries:
Katie Odgaard
Zyme Communications
Tel: +44 7787 502 947
Email: katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
About BioFocus
BioFocus provides integrated drug discovery that delivers pre-clinical drug candidates in all therapeutic areas with strong capabilities in neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases and rare and neglected diseases. BioFocus has advanced and comprehensive drug discovery capabilities that are applied to client projects to deliver targets, hits, leads and pre-clinical candidates. The company employs over 150 exceptionally qualified and industry experienced scientists at its research centers in the UK and the Netherlands. Since its foundation in 1997, BioFocus has produced high quality data for its clients, assured by ISO9001 qualification, validated by regular independent inspection of all BioFocus research centers. For more information, visit us at Twitter, LinkedIn and at www.biofocus.com.
About UCL Institute of Neurology
The Institute of Neurology is a specialist postgraduate Institute of University College London. It is closely associated in its work with the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust, and in combination they form a national and international centre at Queen Square for teaching, training and research in neurology and allied clinical and basic neurosciences.
The Institute employs over 500 staff, and currently holds over 300 active grants, supporting research into the causes and treatment of a wide range of neurological diseases, including movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, brain cancer, stroke and brain injury, muscle and nerve disorders, cognitive dysfunction and dementia, and the work of the Institute's clinical academic staff is closely integrated with the Hospital's care of patients.
Full details of the Institute’s research and teaching activity can be found on the Institute of Neurology website at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $325 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.
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Saffron Walden, UK (25 June 2013) – BioFocus announced today that it has received a Rapid Response Innovation Award from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, a not-for-profit organization focused on developing therapies for Parkinson’s disease. BioFocus will use the investment to develop a high-throughput, high-content assay platform to support the discovery of targets and agents that break the pathogenic loop between glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and a-synuclein, considered to be a major mechanism leading to Parkinson’s disease.
The project is further supported by a new collaboration between BioFocus and Professor Tony Schapira, Institute of Neurology, University College London, a renowned medical researcher in Parkinson’s disease.
Prof. Tony Schapira commented: “The link between mutations in the GBA gene and Parkinson’s disease has been affirmed by multiple clinical studies. The development of a disease-relevant cell model system to support drug discovery on this mechanism will be a critical asset to the Parkinson’s disease research community.”
Prof. Julie Frearson, Senior Director Scientific Alliances and Translational Research, BioFocus, said: “We are delighted and honored to receive this grant. This funding will allow BioFocus to continue tackling novel and challenging therapeutic mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease.”
Contacts:
For BioFocus:
Professor Julie Frearson
Tel: +44 1799 533 500
Email: julie.frearson@glpg.com
Media enquiries:
Katie Odgaard
Zyme Communications
Tel: +44 7787 502 947
Email: katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
About BioFocus
BioFocus provides integrated drug discovery that delivers pre-clinical drug candidates in all therapeutic areas with strong capabilities in neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases and rare and neglected diseases. BioFocus has advanced and comprehensive drug discovery capabilities that are applied to client projects to deliver targets, hits, leads and pre-clinical candidates. The company employs over 150 exceptionally qualified and industry experienced scientists at its research centers in the UK and the Netherlands. Since its foundation in 1997, BioFocus has produced high quality data for its clients, assured by ISO9001 qualification, validated by regular independent inspection of all BioFocus research centers. For more information, visit us at Twitter, LinkedIn and at www.biofocus.com.
About UCL Institute of Neurology
The Institute of Neurology is a specialist postgraduate Institute of University College London. It is closely associated in its work with the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust, and in combination they form a national and international centre at Queen Square for teaching, training and research in neurology and allied clinical and basic neurosciences.
The Institute employs over 500 staff, and currently holds over 300 active grants, supporting research into the causes and treatment of a wide range of neurological diseases, including movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, brain cancer, stroke and brain injury, muscle and nerve disorders, cognitive dysfunction and dementia, and the work of the Institute's clinical academic staff is closely integrated with the Hospital's care of patients.
Full details of the Institute’s research and teaching activity can be found on the Institute of Neurology website at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $325 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.
Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.