Lysoway Therapeutics has received an additional research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to advance its TMEM175 agonist program.
The award, made through MJFF’s Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics Pipeline Program, provides approximately $3.4 million to support preclinical and translational development of Lysoway’s novel, highly brain-penetrant small-molecule TMEM175 agonists.
Funded studies will evaluate whether pharmacological activation of TMEM175 affects lysosomal function and protein and lipid homeostasis and how those effects influence cellular responses under aging and cellular stress, with mechanistic and efficacy work across multiple disease-relevant models to support future regulatory submissions and clinical advancement.
The company plans to use the funding to advance its lead TMEM175 agonist, establish translational target-engagement biomarkers, and initiate IND-enabling studies.
According to the company, Lysoway is developing small-molecule modulators of lysosomal ion channels. The company claims TMEM175 is genetically linked to Parkinson’s disease risk and that its lead development candidate is orally bioavailable and highly brain-penetrant.
