ASAP, MJFF Commit $261 Million to 32 Parkinson’s Teams as Network Expands to 67
Updated
Updated · vai.org · Jul 13
ASAP, MJFF Commit $261 Million to 32 Parkinson’s Teams as Network Expands to 67
1 articles · Updated · vai.org · Jul 13
Summary
$261 million from ASAP and the Michael J. Fox Foundation will fund 32 additional Parkinson’s research teams, expanding their Collaborative Research Network to 67 teams and nearly 400 lead investigators.
The new projects target alpha-synuclein “seeding,” the process in which misfolded proteins induce nearby proteins to misfold, a mechanism tied to Lewy body formation and the loss of movement-controlling brain cells.
Dr. Yang Yang of Van Andel Institute joined two of the newly funded teams: Team Goedert, studying disease-linked variations in misfolded alpha-synuclein, and Team West, advancing seed amplification assays that could support diagnosis and personalized therapies.
More than 180 institutions now participate in the network, which emphasizes shared data and common research tools to build a broader blueprint of Parkinson’s and speed precision diagnostics and treatments.
Is this massive research effort targeting a symptom of Parkinson's, not its actual root cause?
Do 15% of patients who test negative for Parkinson's key biomarker actually have a completely different disease?
A breakthrough Parkinson’s test now exists. Why is a cure for the disease still so elusive?
$261 Million Investment Accelerates Global, Precision-Driven Parkinson’s Research: The ASAP Collaborative Network’s Bold Push for Cures
Overview
In April 2026, Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) announced a landmark $261 million investment to expand its Collaborative Research Network, aiming to accelerate global efforts against Parkinson's disease. This initiative recognizes the urgent need to address the disease's complexity and heterogeneity, as individuals experience different symptoms and progression rates. By bringing together advanced technologies like high-resolution imaging and computational modeling, researchers can explore how factors such as aging and the environment influence Parkinson's. The expanded network is designed to foster collaboration, tackle technical challenges, and drive the development of more personalized and effective treatments for patients worldwide.