November 25, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Enigma Biomedical USA (EB USA) has been awarded $2 million by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to discover and develop a novel α-synuclein Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging biomarker.
The funding supports MJFF’s strategic research agenda, which focuses on creating objective tools to biologically measure and track Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression to improve clinical trial design. Misfolded α-synuclein, a protein that clumps in the brains of individuals with PD, is a key hallmark of the disease and contributes to its symptoms.
According to the press release, a new staging framework aims to define PD and related neuronal α-synuclein diseases based on their underlying biology. The framework places conditions such as PD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) along a continuum of progression from disease risk to functional impairment, underscoring the need for standardized biological diagnosis.
The discovery research will utilize Nobel Prize-winning Click Chemistry and candidate screening techniques developed by Hartmuth Kolb, Ph. D., Chief Science Officer at EB USA. The research will be conducted at the University of Wisconsin, where Dr. Kolb is a Visiting Professor. Dr. Kolb is known for his expertise in biomarkers for neurodegeneration and previously led the team that discovered the first-generation Tau PET imaging biomarker.
Parkinson’s disease is the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease, impacting an estimated 10 million people. It involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons associated with the accumulation of α-synuclein pathology, characterized by motor symptoms and non-motor complications. A new PET tracer has the ability to detect α-synuclein, which promises to revolutionize PD research and clinical care. This advance mirrors Alzheimer’s disease research, where biomarkers have accelerated the development of new disease-targeted therapies.
Dr. Kolb stated his gratitude for MJFF’s recognition and support, expressing excitement for the work’s potential impact on managing the disease.
Rick Hiatt, President and CEO of EB USA, noted the growing partnership with The Michael J Fox Foundation and their shared commitment to addressing critical unmet needs in neurodegenerative disease, as well as providing technologies to support the development of disease targeted therapies.
Sohini Chowdhury, Chief Program Officer at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, highlighted the collective progress in advancing the diagnostic and therapeutic tools needed for Parkinson’s drug development. She expressed anticipation for the Enigma Biomedical team’s work in developing an imaging tracer for alpha-synuclein pathology, which could optimize Parkinson’s diagnosis, strengthen clinical research design, and drive better treatments.
Enigma Biomedical USA aims to be the premier provider of imaging biomarkers for neurological pathologies, associated IT, and related tools to accelerate the development, approval, and adoption of effective therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Subsidiaries of EB have provided best-in-class Tau and Amyloid PET imaging biomarkers, MK-6240 and NAV-4694, to partners. EB also recently partnered with AbbVie to explore novel 4R Tau PET Imaging Biomarkers.
Rick Hiatt, President and CEO of EB USA, can be reached at (email and phone number not provided).
Source: Enigma Biomedical USA
