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THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION FORMS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE BACHMANN-STRAUSS DYSTONIA AND PARKINSON FOUNDATION
Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson
Foundation Establishes Prize for Excellence in Dystonia
Research with Annual Research Grant of $100,000
Selection Committee chaired by Ted Dawson MD,
PhD, the Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Professor of
Neurodegenerative Diseases at The Johns Hopkins University
School
of Medicine
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF)
and The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation (BSDPF)
announced today a new collaborative research alliance to
facilitate greater visibility and deeper investment in
advancing dystonia and Parkinson's research. The partnership
establishes a major dystonia research prize to expand public
awareness, acknowledge key scientific discoveries and
incentivize the work of dedicated researchers in dystonia,
an under-funded movement disorder and an under-recognized
symptom of Parkinson's
disease (PD).
Beginning January 1, 2015, BSDPF will transition its daily
operations to MJFF and refocus its funding in support of the
annual prize, the Bachmann-Strauss Prize for Excellence in
Dystonia Research. Additionally, the partnership enables
continued funding of research that explores overlaps in the
underlying causes, development and treatment of dystonia and
Parkinson's, which share common forms of therapeutic care.
"Our
foundation has always served a dual mission of funding
research to find better treatments for both dystonia and
Parkinson's. By aligning with MJFF now and taking on this
new role, we have opportunities to make an even greater
impact and generate more awareness for dystonia on a much
larger and brighter stage," said Bonnie Strauss, founder and
president of BSDPF. "It's an opportune time to strategically
shift our approach and leverage the current renewed interest
in studying the brain and its disorders."
Due in no small part to the leadership of BSDPF, the field
of dystonia research has seen great advances over the past
two decades. The discovery of three new dystonia-implicated
genes has driven increased understanding of the cause of the
disease, leading to novel therapeutic targets. Four Centers
of Excellence have been established around the United
States, bringing together 'one-stop' convenience for people
with dystonia and Parkinson's disease to obtain the best
clinical care and coordinated support services. Advances in
deep brain stimulation surgery, including improved precision
and safety in techniques for operating in deep brain
structures, have expanded the use of this technique to
increase quality of life for people with dystonia.
Recognizing Top Researchers in Rare Disorder
In creating the annual Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia Prize for
Excellence in Dystonia Research, BSDPF and MJFF are
attracting greater attention to a research area that remains
underrecognized and underfunded. Established by BSDPF and
conferred by MJFF, the Prize will honor an active researcher
who has made profound contributions to the field with
preference given to individuals who have made major
discoveries with clear patient relevance. The Prize may
recognize current cutting-edge research, an individual's
past body of work, or both. The award will be accompanied by
an unrestricted research grant of $100,000 to support
further research in the awardee's laboratory.
A Prize committee chaired by Ted Dawson MD, PhD, the Leonard
and Madlyn Abramson Professor of Neurodegenerative Diseases
at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will
serve as the jury panel. The committee will convene annually
to nominate potential award recipients and select the
winner.
Consisting of experts in neuroscience research, the
committee will also include one member affected by dystonia
or a family member of someone affected by dystonia. BSDPF
Founder Bonnie Strauss will serve in this role. The first
Bachmann-Strauss Prize for Excellence in Dystonia Research
will be presented at a ceremony in
New York Cityin May 2015.
Collaborative Track Record of Success
Many of the most important advances made in understanding
dystonia have come from Parkinson's research. Some
treatments that started in PD have proven effective for
dystonia as well, with many of the drugs used to treat
Parkinson's applicable to dystonia and dyskinesia, which is
excessive movement caused by long-term dopamine replacement
therapy.
As such, BSDPF and MJFF have shared a productive working
relationship for nearly a decade collaborating on major
studies, sharing scientific advisors and funding many of the
same researchers. Some of the experts involved in BSDPF's
new movement disorder centers for excellence are on the MJFF
Scientific Advisory Board.
While MJFF is solely dedicated to ensuring the development
of better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for PD, the
Foundation brings a proven track record of leveraging
significant resources in areas that overlap between
Parkinson's and dystonia research, funding millions since
inception in 2000. The work MJFF is doing in basal ganglia
circuitry and deep brain stimulation has benefitted dystonia
patients significantly.
"Bachmann-Strauss
has been a valued partner to us for many years. We share a
commitment to advancing research that will lead to
transformative medical treatments patients so urgently
need," said Todd Sherer, PhD, CEO of The Michael J. Fox
Foundation. "In creating this alliance, MJFF?s drive to
accelerate Parkinson?s drug development continues to move
forward. Partnering with BSDPF allows us to deepen our work
together in support of high-impact scientific findings that
will benefit both dystonia and Parkinson's patients."
In its search to find a partner, Bachmann-Strauss was also
looking to align with an organization that could help bring
greater prominence to dystonia. The relatively limited
population of people affected by the disease makes it
challenging to generate awareness and attract funding for
research. Through MJFF's global network, prestigious
platform and wealth of resources, the alliance will elevate
exposure of dystonia, and its connection to Parkinson's, to
new and broader audiences.
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
As the world?s largest private funder of Parkinson's
research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to
accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved
therapies for those living with the condition today. The
Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded,
highly targeted research program coupled with active global
engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business
leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers.
In addition to funding more than $300 million in research to
date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the
trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub
of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges
groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders,
academic scientists and government research funders;
increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease
clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder;
promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile
advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the
grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members
around the world.
For more information, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Web and
LinkedIn.
About The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation
The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation was
established in 1995 to find better treatments and cures for
the movement disorders dystonia and Parkinson's disease and
to provide medical and patient information. Lou Bachmann
(1916-2000) and Bonnie Strauss founded The Bachmann-Strauss
Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation (BSDPF) in 1995 as a
nonprofit 501(c)3. The Foundation was started to encourage
new scientific research in the fields of dystonia and
Parkinson's disease and to heighten awareness about the
diseases. The Foundation is also the leading organization
actively looking at the interface between dystonia and
Parkinson's disease. Early stages of scientific research are
often the hardest to fund. Following a similar concept to
that of a "venture capital" fund, seed money is funded
through annual grants, which help to leverage new ideas and
advances in the fields. To date, the Foundation has raised
over $35 million dollars and funded 235 grants in the U.S.
and abroad.
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