The Demoucelle Parkinson Charity is delighted to announce that it will fund two new research studies aimed at slowing or halting the progression of Parkinson’s disease. These projects were selected by experts at our US partner The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

The Demoucelle Parkinson Charity has now made 26 investments in 20 projects. For more information about the other research studies we have supported, please click here.

Ossianix: TrkB: Delivering Brain-Protective Antibodies to boost dopamine

Scientists at British pharmaceutical company Ossianix are testing an exciting new therapy aimed at slowing Parkinson’s disease by nurturing the brain’s dopamine-producing cells:

  • What’s the idea? Parkinson’s disease involves the loss of dopamine-making neurons in the brain, which adversely affects movement and many other functions. Researchers have designed an antibody that activates a naturally protective receptor in brain cells called TrkB. Think of it as giving those cells a survival boost.
  • The big challenge: Antibodies are too large to cross the brain’s protective barrier. To solve this, the team has added a “brain shuttle” to carry the antibody into the brain.
  • What will they test?: Researchers will see if in preclinical tests (mice and potentially monkeys) the therapy is able to reach the brain, protect neurons, and increase dopamine production.
  • Why it matters: It could lead to treatments that not only ease symptoms but actually slow down the progression of Parkinson’s—giving new hope to people living with the disease.
  • If successful, what would be the next step? Researchers would then conduct additional studies to ensure the treatment is safe for humans and, in just over two years, begin testing it in people with Parkinson’s disease. 

To read a description of this study in the researchers’ own words, please click here.

Accure: ACT-02: Developing an oral drug to slow or stop Parkinson’s

Researchers at Spanish pharmaceutical company Accure Therapeutics are working on an oral therapy that could slow or stop Parkinson’s disease, not just manage symptoms.

  • What’s the idea? ACT-02 blocks an enzyme called PREP, which is linked to toxic protein buildup, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial problems, which contribute to the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Early studies have shown ACT‑02 protects brain cells and improves movement and cognition in preclinical (i.e. non-human) models.
  • What will they test? With the funding, Accure Therapeutics will finalise critical safety and pharmacology studies needed to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
  • Why it matters: By targeting the PREP protein, which impacts several disease pathways and causes both motor and non-motor symptoms (e.g. cognitive impairment) of Parkinson’s disease, ACT-02 has the potential to be disease-modifying i.e. to slow or stop Parkinson’s — not just manage the symptoms.
  • If successful, what would be the next step? Clincial trials (in humans) could begin in 2026.

To read Accure’s press release regarding funding, please click here. 

(NOTE: the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity contributed to the funding together with the Michael J. Fox Foundation).