Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) August 04, 2014
FPRT Bio, a privately held clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, is developing XPro1595, a novel second generation inhibitor of soluble TNF, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including ALS, MS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. FPRT Bio works closely with academic partners and disease foundations to further the development of XPro1595. In the past week, scientists at Emory University have published data in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease on work supported by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and have received a grant from the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation to further their work in studying the effects XPro1595 on this devastating neurologic disease.
Work published last week by Christopher Barnum, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Malu Tansey, PhD, associate professor of physiology in Emory University School of Medicine, demonstrated that XPro1595 can protect vulnerable dopaminergic neurons and reduce motor deficits in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. This work was supported by MJFF as part of a Therapeutic Development Initiative grant awarded to FPRT Bio in 2013. That same day, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation announced that Dr.Tansey and Yoland Smith, Ph.D., of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University, were awarded funding to show Neuroprotection by XPro1595 in a Chronic MPTP Monkey Model of Parkinson's Disease.
“The scientific and medical communities now recognize the importance of chronic neuroinflammation in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr.Tansey. “The support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation is instrumental in increasing our understanding of this devastating disease and identifying new therapeutic strategies.”
“This award and publication demonstrate how finding a solution for Parkinson’s disease is a team sport”, said RJ Tesi, MD, President and CEO of FPRT Bio. “No one person or organization can conquer this complex disease alone. By working together, real progress is made.”
About Parkinson's disease: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US. Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's.
About the Parkinson's Disease Foundation: The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy. We are working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson’s by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson’s through educational programs and services. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated over $105 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and over $44 million to support national education and advocacy initiatives.
About Emory University School of Medicine: Emory University School of Medicine is ranked among the nation’s finest institutions for education, biomedical research and patient care, with more than 3,000 regular and volunteer faculty and more than 550 students and trains 1,205 residents and fellows in 98 accredited programs. The school is known for its research and treatment in heart disease, cancer, neurosciences, transplantation, infectious disease, orthopedics, pediatrics, renal disease, ophthalmology and geriatrics.