ATLANTA,
March 9, 2017
Inhibikase Therapeutics, a clinical-stage
specialty pharmaceutical company developing kinase inhibitors to treat
neurodegenerative diseases and infections in the brain, announced today that
the company has received a $433,000 research grant from The Michael J. Fox
Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) to help fund pre-IND studies of the
company's novel c-Abl kinase inhibitors as a potential disease-modifying
treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD).
"Recent
scientific discoveries point to a role of c-Abl kinase in the progression of
Parkinson's disease. In our ongoing pursuit of orally administered,
brain-penetrant c-Abl inhibitors to treat major diseases in the brain, we have
generated c-Abl kinase inhibitors that have demonstrated the ability to block
neurodegeneration in preclinical models of the disease," said Milton
Werner, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Inhibikase. "We are grateful to
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for its support as we continue our work to
validate this potential disease-modifying therapy that may impede the
progression of Parkinson's disease."
Using
its proprietary RAMP technology engine, Inhibikase has discovered and developed
a series of c-Abl kinase inhibitors and validated their activity in preclinical
animal models for multiple therapeutic indications in the brain. Building on
newly discovered mechanistic data, the company evaluated its RAMP molecules in
preclinical animal models of PD, demonstrating that these molecules are capable
of blocking the progressive death of dopamine-producing neurons that drives PD
and thus acting as a potential disease-modifying therapy for PD.
The
grant will support studies of the activity and pharmacology of the RAMP
molecules in a newly defined mouse model that recapitulates many of the
hallmarks of the progressive disease process in humans. RAMP molecules that
pass these tests will be positioned to advance through the regulatory
requirements to begin clinical testing.
The
grant will support studies of the activity and pharmacology of the RAMP
molecules in a newly defined mouse model that recapitulates many of the
hallmarks of the progressive disease process in humans. RAMP molecules that
pass these tests will be positioned to advance through the regulatory
requirements to begin clinical testing.
This
work supplements two-FDA approved clinical studies under way by Inhibikase that
are evaluating commercial anti-cancer c-Abl inhibitors as potential bridging
therapies in PD until the company's RAMP molecules reach clinical testing in
humans.
About
Inhibikase Therapeutics (www.inhibikase.com)
Inhibikase Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage specialty
pharmaceutical company innovating small-molecule therapeutics that target
central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and
life-threatening brain infections. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in
Atlanta, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Inhibikase Therapeutics is
transforming the pathway to blunt and reverse diseases in the brain and CNS.
About
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
As the
world's largest nonprofit 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, advocacy volunteers
and donors. In addition to funding more than $700 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. For more information, visit www.michaeljfox.org.
Contact:
Mary
Moynihan
M2Friend
Biocommunications
(802)
951-9600
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inhibikase-awarded-433000-from-the-michael-j-fox-foundation-to-advance-development-of-kinase-inhibitor-treatment-for-parkinsons-disease-300420967.html
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inhibikase-awarded-433000-from-the-michael-j-fox-foundation-to-advance-development-of-kinase-inhibitor-treatment-for-parkinsons-disease-300420967.html
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