Lario Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative precision medicines for neurological disorders, has recently secured a significant funding boost of $6 million from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). This grant marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey toward advancing treatment options for Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting millions globally.
The awarded funds will specifically support Lario’s preclinical program aimed at exploring selective inhibition of CaV2.3 calcium channels as a potential disease-modifying strategy for Parkinson’s disease. The collaboration with the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre (OPDC) is set to play a crucial role in the research, leveraging cutting-edge science to evaluate the efficacy of Lario’s compounds in advanced patient-derived stem cell models.
Parkinson’s disease arises when dopamine-producing brain cells deteriorate or cease functioning, leading to a range of debilitating symptoms that worsen over time. These symptoms include motor dysfunctions such as tremors, slowness, stiffness, and balance issues, alongside non-motor symptoms like depression and cognitive decline. With over 10 million individuals worldwide diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the need for effective treatments is more urgent than ever.
Dr. Tom Otis, Chief Scientific Officer at Lario Therapeutics, expressed gratitude for the support from MJFF, emphasizing the importance of this funding in facilitating the development of a new therapeutic approach aimed at preventing neuronal loss associated with Parkinson’s disease. He stated, “If our research is successful, this will represent an important new treatment option for patients.”
Henning Steinhagen, Co-Founder and CEO of Lario Therapeutics, also highlighted the significance of the grant, noting that it would propel the company’s ambitions to advance their CaV2.3 program towards clinical application. He remarked, “This significant funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation will aid the work out of our therapeutic pipeline and the work we have achieved so far in advancing research in the field.”
The partnership with OPDC, led by Professor Richard Wade-Martins, will utilize state-of-the-art methodologies to assess the potential of Lario’s compounds. This collaboration is expected to yield valuable insights into the mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease and the role calcium channels play in its progression.
Research has increasingly pointed to the involvement of calcium channels in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease. Preclinical studies have shown that the deletion of the CaV2.3 channel can exert a protective effect against the advancement of the disease, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
As Lario Therapeutics embarks on this critical research phase, the hope is that the findings will not only enhance understanding of Parkinson’s disease but also pave the way for new treatment modalities that could significantly improve the quality of life for those affected.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation remains committed to funding innovative research initiatives, supporting organizations like Lario Therapeutics that are dedicated to developing novel therapies aimed at alleviating the burden of Parkinson’s disease. This grant exemplifies the foundation’s mission to accelerate the development of breakthrough treatments through strategic partnerships and financial support.
With the backing of such a prominent organization and a robust research strategy in place, Lario Therapeutics is poised to make meaningful strides in the quest for effective therapies for Parkinson’s disease, potentially transforming the landscape of treatment options available to patients.
