Valley Foundation Awards Parkinson's Institute $1M

Main Category: Parkinson's Disease
Article Date: 29 Jun 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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The Parkinson's Institute, America's only independent non-profit organization providing clinical research, basic research, clinical trials and comprehensive patient care for Parkinson's disease, has announced that the Valley Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to support The Institute's STOP PD research program and to assist its relocation to a new facility.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder currently afflicting over 1.5 million Americans. That number will increase as the population ages, so scientists and physicians at The Parkinson's Institute have initiated STOP PD, a drug discovery and development effort aimed at identifying compounds to halt and even reverse the progression of Parkinson's. The program's target is a protein called alpha-synuclein, which is known to abnormally aggregate within the brain cells of persons who develop Parkinson's. These protein deposits impair neuronal function and eventually lead to cell death.

In collaboration with Dr. Anthony Fink of the University of California, Santa Cruz, the program has already screened 4,000 known chemical compounds, identifying nearly 60 that inhibit alpha-synuclein aggregation in a laboratory setting. The promising compounds will next be tested in more sophisticated models of Parkinson's disease, with the goal of identifying candidates for eventual clinical trials in patients.

"Current Parkinson's medications offer some symptomatic relief, but do nothing about the underlying disease," said J. William Langston, M.D., Founder, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer. "Effectively halting Parkinson's progression would literally be a new lease on life for many patients and their families."

On September 1, 2007 The Institute will relocate to a 60,000 square foot facility at 675 Almanor Avenue in Sunnyvale. The new site offers fifty percent more space than the current building, enabling a larger clinic with more examination and therapy rooms, more spacious and efficient laboratories, and a sizable conference room for scientific seminars, educational forums and community events.

"As we approach our 20th anniversary, the Valley Foundation's $1 million grant provides the vital lead gift for our planned $20 million multi-year campaign. We are tremendously gratified by their continuing strong support," added Dr. Langston. "Our board of directors, staff, and supporters are all committed to accomplishing our relocation without major disruption in our research or patient care."

"The Valley Foundation has great admiration for Dr. Langston, his entire team, and the important work they do," said Phillip R. Boyce, Chairman of the Valley Foundation board of trustees. "We are proud to have supported The Parkinson's Institute since its inception, and believe this grant will help to take them to the next level."

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About The Parkinson's Institute

Founded in 1988, The Parkinson's Institute is the only independent nonprofit organization that provides clinical research, basic research, clinical trials and a comprehensive patient care center, all under one roof. The Institute's focus is on finding the cause(s) and a cure for Parkinson's disease and providing the best possible care to those diagnosed with Parkinson's and related disorders. For more information about The Parkinson's Institute, please visit http://www.thepi.org/.

About The Valley Foundation

The Valley Foundation, established in July 1984, is a non-profit foundation headquartered in Los Gatos, California. The Valley Foundation's primary goal is to improve health care and medical services for lower income households within Santa Clara County, California.

Contact: Alicia Swanson
The Parkinson's Institute

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