Waiting ...

This month we learn whether the Michael J. Fox Foundation will fund our gran proposal that was resubmitted in December 2025.

The proposal presents compelling science and details the skills of our first-rate team. We share an achievable plan and strong budget justification. We’re optimistic that they will see the value of awarding the grant.

As I’ve summarized previously, the science supports our claim that a clinical trial deserves to be performed.

We published data showing the levels of dopamine inside the dopaminergic neurons is elevated in Parkinson’s. Because that may seem surprising, we shared how this discovery is consistent with prior studies showing increased activity of the enzyme responsible for dopamine’s production inside these cells.

We shared the data showing that our drug RB-190 reverses pathology in nine standard models of Parkinson’s disease. And we provided the details from our conversations with the FDA showing that they were supportive of moving to a Phase 2A clinical trial of RB-190 in people with Parkinson’s.

It’s not easy waiting for the announcement, but we used the time constructively by: 

·       Firming up the operational plan for conducting the Phase 2A trial in Australia

·       Forming a subsidiary company in Australia

·       Completing drug (and placebo) manufacturing for the clinical trial

·       Refining the clinical trial protocol

·       Continuing to raise funds for activities beyond those planned for the MJFF grant

·       Presenting our plan and the data supporting it through media, including the Movers & Shakers Podcast

·       Pushing our vision further into the spotlight – engaging people in the Parkinson’s community including patients, patient advocates, scientists and clinicians.

I started on this path near the end of 2017 and watched my buddy Ivan die from Parkinson’s. We’ve accomplished many important milestones in the drug development process. Securing this grant would change the pace at which we can progress. And the grant would keep us on schedule to start the clinical trial by year’s end and have first clinical data in 2027.

It's hard waiting to hear from the Foundation.

I’m looking forward to moving faster, getting into the clinic and then learning that we are not contrarians but rather visionaries – as we bring forward a transformative therapy for those with Parkinson’s.