MRC Technology, a technology transfer organization, and Parkinson's U.K., a support and research charity, have announced a joint call for targets. The call aims to identify and fund either one or two projects focused on potential small molecule or antibody targets to slow, stop or reverse the progression of Parkinson's. The call to academic researchers seeks to fund target validation and proof-of-concept studies prior to initiating a full-scale drug discovery project.

The joint action draws on MRC Technology's expertise in translating novel, promising biology into lead stage therapeutics and the management of associated intellectual property, combined with the experience Parkinson's U.K. has in supporting academic research into Parkinson's for better understanding of the condition and development of new treatments.

Parkinson's U.K. will fund selected projects with expected awards of up to $232,900 over two years. Upon completion, projects will be evaluated for progression into MRC Technology's Centre for Therapeutic Discovery (CTD) to generate small molecules or therapeutic antibodies against the targets.

Mike Johnson, director of corporate partnerships at MRC Technology, said, "The joint call builds on our existing partnership with Parkinson's U.K., and will enable us to access novel Parkinson's targets as a critical step toward finding new treatments.”

"Our research is unearthing promising new ideas for treatments that can slow or even stop the progress of Parkinson's—something no current drug can do,” said Dr. Kieran Breen, director of research and innovation at Parkinson's U.K. "But now we face the huge challenge of moving these breakthroughs forward to become the treatments of tomorrow.”

Supporting technology transfer and PI management efforts, MRC Technology set up its drug discovery laboratories in order to bridge the gap between innovative, early-stage academic R&D of intellectual property suitable for licensing to industry for further development and commercialization.