Engaging with the Fox Foundation

Last week I shared my concern that the Michael J. Fox Foundation was not sufficiently considering the possibility that we could be right.

They rejected our grant application without providing much evidence for why they did so. And while I do not have the hubris to believe I have all the answers about Parkinson's, the data we cited in the application are very, very strong in supporting the potential ground-breaking impact of dopamine reduction therapy.

I was frustrated that the rejection did not include hints on how we could adapt our approach to make them sufficiently optimistic that they would fund the trial. Instead, it felt like a hard "no."

I wasn't sure whether there was a next step with the MJFF. So I asked you to tell them what you thought about the situation. And some of you provided me with copies of the email messages, which were quite moving. Whatever was in those emails had the desired impact. The Foundation contacted me and we have a one-hour call scheduled in mid October.

Will they present a scientific basis for why dopamine reduction therapy should not be pursued? Will they suggest ways to modify our plan that will make us more attractive for grant funding? Will they allow us to reapply with their input incorporated? It's hard for me to imagine they are prepared to reverse their course and announce that they will fund the trial. But a guy can dream, right?

I'll let you know how the call works out. And I thank each of you for engaging with me and for sharing your thoughts with the foundation.

We're fighting for you and hope to align the Foundation with our path forward.