Michael J. Fox Foundation Backs Lysoway's Parkinson's Disease Research
Congratulations to Lysoway Therapeutics!
The company announced today that it has received a research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) to support the development of its TMEM175 agonist program for Parkinson’s disease, providing additional validation for the company’s approach to treating neurodegenerative disorders.
If you’re unfamiliar, Lysoway is a biotechnology firm focused on developing small-molecule drugs that target lysosomal ion channels. These channels help regulate the cell’s waste-disposal and recycling system, known as the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. When that system breaks down, toxic proteins can accumulate inside neurons, a process believed to play a major role in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The company’s TMEM175 program is designed to improve lysosomal function and cellular waste clearance. Human genetic studies have linked TMEM175 dysfunction to increased Parkinson’s disease risk, making it an increasingly attractive target for drug developers.
Earlier this year, Lysoway announced the nomination of a development candidate for the program, marking an important step toward future clinical testing.
Phase I underway
The MJFF grant follows other recent progress at the company.
Lysoway’s lead TRPML1 agonist, LW-1017, recently entered Phase 1 clinical testing, becoming one of the first therapies designed to restore lysosomal function through this mechanism. The company believes both its TRPML1 and TMEM175 programs could address underlying disease biology rather than simply treating symptoms.