Carol Ostrow | Feb 17, 2017

Actor's foundation backs novel drug for Parkinson's

An initiative for targeting inflammation as a disease-modifying strategy in Parkinson's disease (PD) will continue with the development of a novel medicine to protect nerve cells from damage, thanks to a recent grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF).

Longevity Biotech (LBT) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) are developing the drug, LBT-3627, as part of a strategy to pinpoint inflammation symptoms as a way to fight PD. The grant continues efforts that have shown earlier success.

According to Longevity Biotech, "LBT-3627 is a selective neuroprotective immunomodulatory agent targeting the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 (VPAC2)."

The research team will look at ways of protecting and repairing dopamine neurons impaired by the disease, ascertaining optimal dosage and administration.

"Collectively these studies will refine the therapeutic product profile for LBT-3627 as we head toward initial clinical evaluation of this unique disease-modifying strategy," Scott Shandler, co-founder and CEO of Longevity Biotech, said. "We are excited about the future of LBT-3627 and its potential to improve the lives of the millions of patients that are affected each year by this devastating disease."

Based in Philadelphia, Longevity Biotech focuses on a category of potential therapeutic drugs with the trade name Hybridtides -- synthetic peptides based on work begun at the University of Wisconsin.

"We are pleased to support the LBT and UNMC teams as they work toward addressing neuro-inflammation as a [new] strategy," Terina Martinez, senior associate director of Research Programs at the Michael J. Fox Foundation, said.

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