The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through funded research and ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. Established by actor Michael J. Fox in 2000, the Foundation has since become the largest non-profit funder of Parkinson's disease research in the world, investing more than $650 million in research to date. In 2010, the Foundation launched the first large-scale clinical study on evolution biomarkers of the disease at a cost of $45 million over five years.
Research funding
The Foundation targets people's high-risk, "translational" research—the work of translating basic scientific discoveries into simple treatments with definition to benefit the estimated five million people living with Parkinson's disease today. The Foundation drives progress by awarding grants to ensure that the most promising research avenues are thoroughly funded, explored and carried forward toward pharmacy shelves. The Foundation's four annually recurring Pipeline Programs aim to speed research along the drug development pipeline. The Pipeline Programs include: Rapid ResponseInnovation Awards quickly support high-risk, high-reward projects with little to no existing preliminary data, but potential to significantly impact our understanding or treatment of PD. Target Validation Awards provide support for work demonstrating whether modulation of a novel biological target has impact in a PD-relevant pre-clinical model — an essential step to the development of potential targeted therapies. Clinical Intervention Awards support clinical testing of promising PD therapies that may significantly and fundamentally improve treatment of PD. Therapeutics Development Initiative, an industry-exclusive support program for preclinical development of Parkinson's disease therapies with potential to fundamentally alter disease course and/or improve treatment of symptoms above and beyond current standards of care. The Pipeline Programs are complemented by the Foundation's Critical Challenges in Parkinson's Disease program, which provides funds for top research priorities. Critical Challenges in 2009/2010 include: speeding research on PD genetic targets, LRRK2 and alpha-synuclein; advancing research on neurotrophic factors; identifying biomarkers of PD; understanding patient's unmet needs, like postural instability and gait disturbances; and, promoting collaborations with the Arizona Parkinson's Disease Consortium.
Team Fox
Team Fox for Parkinson's Research is the foundation's grassroots community project raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's disease.
Education and awareness
The Michael J. Fox Foundation publishes a print newsletter, The Fox Focus, two times per year as well as a monthly e-newsletter, FoxFlash, to keep supporters updated on Parkinson's research progress. In 2010, the Foundation launched an audio podcast series on Parkinson's science, hosted by KQED Public Radio Host David Iverson. Living with Parkinson's is the Foundation's online source for information on PD, guides for the newly diagnosed and caregivers, stories from people living with the disease and additional resources. In 2016, it created a raffle to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease and raised $6.75 million through Nike and two auctions in Hong Kong and London. One of the Nike Mags sold for over $200,000.
