MJFF CEO Todd Sherer, PhD, Michael J. Fox, and 23andMe Founder Anne Wojcicki at 23andMe's offices last month.

Today, Bloomberg Businessweek featured Sergey Brin’s investment in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research, highlighting his transformative support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), and the work being done at 23andMe, the personal genetics company founded by his wife, Anne Wojcicki.

The article highlights new investments in research targeting LRRK2, the greatest known genetic contributor to PD.  Brin has been a leader in engaging a broader campaign in Parkinson’s research, partnering with MJFF to develop an innovative model in a space that needed it.  Now researchers from across academia and industry combine resources with scientists from major pharmaceutical companies, in a “Manhattan Project” to devise drugs against LRRK2.  The piece chronicles the innovative partnership between Brin and MJFF: Continue reading “Bloomberg Businessweek: Google Co-founder Sergey Brin Partners with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to Create a ‘Manhattan Project’ in Search for Parkinson’s Cure” »

In spring 2009, personal genetics company 23andMe announced that it would recruit 10,000 people with Parkinson’s to contribute DNA for research to illuminate the role of genetics in PD. Three years later, 7,500 people with Parkinson’s across 49 U.S. states and 26 countries have joined what has become the largest Parkinson’s community for genetic research worldwide.  23andMe researchers are making progress toward building a greater picture of the underlying causes of the disease, genetic and otherwise.

“23andMe’s unique initiative leveraging DNA technology, the Internet, and patient participation is already enhancing understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” says Todd Sherer, PhD, CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). “Ongoing results could open new approaches to developing drugs.”

There are many reasons for conducting genetic studies tied to PD.  One is to better predict an individual’s risk for developing the disease in the long-term.   Another reason is that, by studying genetic mutations, researchers hope to better understand the molecular processes taking place during the course of PD, in both genetic and sporadic cases of the disease. This could lead to improved drugs to counteract these processes.

MJFF has been a publicity partner to the PD Research Community, helping spread the word to people with Parkinson’s about the opportunity to speed research progress by mailing in a saliva sample to 23andMe to collect the DNA it needs to analyze people’s genetics.

Today, Sherer, Michael J. Fox, and Foundation Co-Founder Debi Brooks are visiting 23andMe’s Mountain View, California offices to see the operation first hand.

“The Foundation has played a major role in research progress we’ve made to this point,” says Emily Drabant, PhD, Research Development Manager at 23andMe. “Today’s visit gives us the chance to share updates with Todd, Michael, and Debi personally — and think through opportunities to continue our fruitful collaboration.”

Read on to learn more about some of 23andMe’s advances in research.

Continue reading “Navigating the ‘Many Roads to Rome’: MJFF Partner 23andMe Drives Genetic Research Toward Drugs to Treat Parkinson’s Disease” »

Michael J. Fox Foundation co-founder and executive vice president Debi Brooks is a featured “professor” in FastCompany.com’s 30-Second MBA program. She shares with students (aka viewers) her take on what three qualities in a nonprofit would make jumping into that sector “a risk worth taking.”  Click here to watch and learn from Debi.

Hennessy's Martin Scorsese billboard in Times Square

On April 5, Moët Hennessy unveiled the final component of their “Wild Rabbit” advertising campaign at a VIP reception in New York City. Film-making visionary and philanthropist Martin Scorsese was partnering with Hennessy to inspire fans to pursue their “Wild Rabbit” — the embodiment of one’s inner drive to succeed. Also inspiring is the contribution that this collaboration would yield: a minimum gift of $250,000 to The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF).

In a taped video message that played at the reception, Michael J. Fox said, “Our wild rabbit is a cure for Parkinson’s. We will never stop — or settle — until we capture it. Thanks to Marty Scorsese and Hennessy for joining us in the chase.” Continue reading ““Our Wild Rabbit is a Cure for Parkinson’s”” »

Bill Langston with the Robert A. Pritzker Prize sculpture

For Michael J. Fox, Bill Langston, MD, was “the guy responsible for getting me pumped up about the science behind PD research — and the challenges we could take on.” For fellow scientists, including Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) CEO Todd Sherer, PhD, Langston was as a “real mentor,” whose “bench to bedside” philosophy to Parkinson’s research and patient care helped guide the Foundation’s patient-centric approach.

Fox and Sherer, along with Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Debi Brooks, paid tribute to Langston on April 5 as they presented him with the Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson’s Research. Also at the intimate luncheon in New York City were founding members of MJFF’s Scientific Advisory Board, whom Langston had recruited as the inaugural Chief, and members of the Pritzker family. Bringing together those who had been with the Foundation since the early days, it was an afternoon filled with meaningful reflection — of the progress made — and hopes for the future. Continue reading “The Man Who Inspired Michael J. Fox — About Science” »

Michael J. Fox Foundation Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Debi Brooks has not only been instrumental in conceiving, structuring and fundraising for the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI); she also is participating in the study as a control.

This is the first time Debi has volunteered for clinical research, and she is blogging about what she learns along the way. In her latest video entry, she reflects on an inspirational PPMI event where she had the opportunity to speak with others who have volunteered to take part in the study. Debi was deeply moved by their stories of willingness. 

  Continue reading “Debi’s Blog: Tales of Volunteerism and Willingness” »

Patients have always been at the heart of what we do at The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Our dedication to improving patients’ quality of life and answering their unmet needs — sooner rather than later — has shaped our research priorities.

Prior to the Foundation’s launch, the belief that patients could help accelerate new treatments wasn’t necessarily a prevalent one in the research community. But MJFF — and patients themselves — have helped to change that perception. Continue reading “Engaged Parkinson’s Patients Are the Answer to a Cure” »

Michael J. Fox Foundation Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Debi Brooks has not only been instrumental in conceiving, structuring and fundraising for the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI); she also is participating in the study as a control.

This is the first time Debi has volunteered for clinical research, and she is blogging about what she learns along the way. In this post, she reflects on clinical trial participation and the theme of citizenship, thanks in part to the expertise of her daughter Abby.   

This morning, as I was getting ready to head to the University of Pennsylvania for the latest of my PPMI study visits, I sat down to breakfast with my young daughters.  I wasn’t actually eating with them, as I needed to fast prior to having blood drawn for PPMI.  My daughter Abby noticed this.

“Why aren’t you eating?” she asked.  I explained to her that I was fasting, because I was going to see the doctor.  I didn’t want my breakfast to show up in my blood, I told her.  The doctor was going to look at my blood and compare it with the blood of people with Parkinson’s disease, in order to learn more about what causes it. Continue reading “Debi’s Blog: Citizens for a Cure” »

Michael J. Fox Foundation Co-Founder Debi Brooks serves up Key Lime Pie

To celebrate the miraculous constant that makes measuring the circumference of a circle possible, the staff of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research took time out of our busy Wednesday schedule to gather together and enjoy some pie. Staff across the Foundation got in on the action, sharing a variety of pies: some sweet, some savory and some even transported across state lines.

Co-Founder Debi Brooks (pictured left) boarded her morning train with whisk and cooler in hand, assembling her “Easy Key Lime Pie” in the Foundation’s kitchen earlier this afternoon. An unofficial data sampling revealed Debi’s commuter special to be our Pi Day victor!

How did you celebrate your Pi Day? It’s not too late to get in on the action; be the champion of your own Pi Day with Debi’s heirloom Key Lime Pie recipe.

Continue reading “Happy Pi Day!” »

Jenna Goudreau writes for Forbes about navigating success for professional women. This week she turned her attention to MJFF co-founder Debi Brooks’ transition from a high-powered role in business and finance to a high-impact role in the quest to cure Parkinson’s disease. A few choice excerpts after the jump. Continue reading “MJFF Co-Founder Debi Brooks Profiled on Forbes.com” »