A New Drug by Progenra Inc. Functions in Parkinson's Disease
About 90,000 people are diagnosed in the US a year with Parkinson's disease. Genetic mutations lead to early onset of PD that account for about 10-20% of all cases of Parkinsons's disease patients. Progenra drug restores function for most of the patients.
Share
In a groundbreaking advance, Progenra Inc., has discovered a novel class of small-molecule PINK1 activators that restore function in mutant forms of the PINK1 kinase, a key mitochondrial regulator whose dysfunction leads to familial or early onset Parkinson's disease (PD). This discovery represents the first evidence that a drug for defective PINK1 variants is possible, and therapeutically viable. Restoring the function of pathogenic PINK1 mutations found in Parkinson's patients with small molecule drugs, is a paradigm shift in Parkinson's disease. The data hints that the drug could reverse disease progression—and benefit late-stage Parkinson's disease as well.
PINK1/Parkin Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Aggregation of proteins in neurons is the main cause of several neurodegenerative disorders. Tau protein aggregates for Alzheimer's disease and alpha synuclein aggregates for Parkinson's disease. Protein aggregates damage mitochondria leading to loss of ATP and neuronal cell death. Aggregated proteins or proteinapathies such as Lewy Body disease are also responsible for dementia.
Since the PINK1 drug removes protein aggregates and restores mitochondrial health, its application for Lewy body disease and other proteinathies are also apparent. 'This discovery opens an entirely new avenue for neurodegenerative diseases and especially for personalized medicine for PD patients,' added Dr. Tauseef Butt, PhD, President& CEO of Progenra Inc. 'Instead of compensating for PINK1 loss, we can now target the defective protein directly, potentially halting disease progression at its origin.'
About Progenra Inc:
Progenra (www.progenra.com), a biotech company, aims to develop novel medicines by exploring mitochondria and ubiquitin proteasome pathways. Progenra is developing novel modulators of PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway as therapeutics for antiaging, neurodegenerative and mitochondrial diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's as well as cardiovascular diseases.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Trump can rein in healthcare costs AND win medical breakthroughs — here's how
Of all the problems bedeviling the American healthcare system, the high cost of pharmaceuticals is one of those most commonly cited by patients. Polling finds that most Americans think drugs are too expensive, and they're often right — even if pricey medications beat alternatives like surgery, hospitalization or living with pain. President Donald Trump has promised to implement healthcare reforms that both increase innovation and improve affordability. Advertisement Some see these as contradictory pursuits — but when it comes to pharmaceuticals, both of the president's goals can be achieved at the same time. This week the two of us, along with a team of top health and economic experts, launched Most Favored Patients, a working group aimed at developing reforms that will lower drug prices in ways that won't hinder or delay new drug development. Before we suggest policies that could work, let's be clear about what doesn't: government-mandated price controls. Advertisement Top-down edicts that remove the profit motive from drug research and development will do more harm than good, impeding the race to identify cures for cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy and other cruel diseases. It's a short-sighted solution, too: It ignores the reality that 93% of US prescriptions are for very cheap generics — indeed, cheaper here than abroad — that emerge after innovators earn the necessary returns on their investments. Instead, let's try some innovations that make both medical and economic sense. First, do the easy stuff first and allow patients to buy medicines from pharmaceutical companies directly. Advertisement Our recent poll of 1,000 battleground-state voters found overwhelming 86% support for this concept, which would lower drug prices by avoiding expensive retail markups imposed by insurance companies and others. Most voters also favor Trump's intention to rein in costly middlemen like the highly concentrated pharmacy benefit manager industry, which negotiates drug prices for insurance companies. We also must require foreign countries to pay their fair share for medical innovations developed in the United States — that is, nearly all of them. Trump can use his NATO negotiations as a model here: Just as he has required Europe to pony up more for the benefits of NATO security through minimum levels of military spending, he could convince trading partners to spend more of their GDP on new drugs. Advertisement Right now, more than 70% of global pharmaceutical earnings come from the United States, even though we generate less than a quarter of global GDP. We annually spend $13,000 on healthcare per capita, while the rest of the developed world spends far less than $10,000 — partly because we allow more free-market healthcare pricing than other nations do. Trump is already implementing some of these reforms in his America First trade deals, securing some $300 billion worth of foreign commitments for new domestic pharmaceutical R&D, manufacturing and workforce investments. These commitments share the burden of finding cures that will benefit all of humanity — while fueling the American research engine that justifies the investments. Next, the Food and Drug Administration must thoroughly overhaul its antique, snail's-pace drug approval process: Many potential wonder drugs developed by small biomedical firms are shelved when that process' exorbitant costs and delays drain their capital. The FDA should fast-track experimental drugs for crippling and lethal diseases, and should expedite 'Right To Try' rules to get promising drugs to the people who need them. In addition, we believe the FDA should loosen its regulations and use economic criteria, not just clinical ones, to determine whether a drug may be fast-tracked for approval: Put simply, cheaper drugs should be allowed to come to market faster. Advertisement Finally, we're confident that price transparency in drugs and all other medical services would help drive prices down and encourage more comparison-shopping by patients. We don't buy food or gas or homes without knowing their price — but that's too often the case with drugs, hospitals and medical procedures. Republicans have been missing out on the political benefits of seizing on common-sense reforms like these. Advertisement Voters consistently view the GOP as being less caring and less reliable on solving our nation's healthcare concerns. That's made them cower. They keep their mouths shut and flee from any discussion of voters' valid complaints — and often lose elections as a result. As the midterms approach, Republicans who promote innovation with our Most Favored Patient proposals will help bring down costs, ensure American biomedical innovative supremacy, and save lives. Advertisement Everyone is on board with that. Stephen Moore is a co-founder of Unleash Prosperity, where Tomas Philipson is a senior research fellow.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
BerryDunn Showcases Thought Leadership and Expertise at 2025 MESC Conference
PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BerryDunn, a full-service accounting, tax, and consulting firm, will return for the 25th year to the Medicaid Enterprise Systems Conference (MESC), taking place August 11 – 14 in Milwaukee, WI. The firm is a leading voice in Medicaid and other Health and Human Services (HHS) policy, program excellence, and healthcare data analytics, with decades of hands-on experience supporting states and territories. The MESC brings together territorial, state, federal, and private-sector leaders to discuss and collaborate on Medicaid and other HHS systems and the policies that affect them. Hot topics at MESC 2025 include systems optimization, healthcare IT strategy, and a strong emphasis on modernization, interoperability, and health equity. 'The urgency for the healthcare community to prioritize the well-being of those they serve—while modernizing systems, ensuring compliance, and driving innovation—has never been greater,' says Zachary Rioux, Principal at BerryDunn. 'Our team is deeply committed to helping clients build future-ready solutions that are both strategic and sustainable. We've supported agencies in preparing for and responding to major federal legislation like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and we continue to guide clients through the evolving policy landscape.' BerryDunn's involvement with industry associations, governance boards, and conferences enables the consulting team to anticipate and help clients respond to developments like the recent State Health Officials (SHO) letter #25003 and upcoming changes to the Medicaid Information Technology Architecture (MITA). MESC is a powerful gathering of ideas, experience, and purpose—and BerryDunn is proud to be part of a community that's driving meaningful change in healthcare. Several BerryDunn professionals will play a leading role in this year's conference presentations, including: Alexandra Nardo and Robert Morey will speak during a session titled 'Building the Foundation for AI: Puerto Rico's AI Readiness Roadmap.' The session explores the Puerto Rico Medicaid Program's assessment, planning process, and roadmap in support of the agency's AI considerations. Delivering purposeful results through partnership, Amber Davis, a Manager in BerryDunn's Medicaid Practice Group, will moderate a session on 'Advancing Medicaid Innovation through the CMS Leverage & Reuse Initiative.' This session will explore how states and territories are collaborating to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation in Medicaid technology. Partnering with CMS and the leadership team at the Puerto Rico Medicaid Program (PRMP), Nikki Welch, Manager at BerryDunn, will present 'Leveraging Organizational Change Management (OCM) Maturity Results to Enhance Medicaid Outcomes.' This session highlights PRMP's journey to integrate OCM practices across Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES) and how the use of BerryDunn's OCM Maturity Assessment framework has provided measurable insights that directly support program success. 'Our team members gain valuable perspective by being actively engaged in Medicaid IT and policy planning at the national and state levels,' says Ed Daranyi, BerryDunn Principal and leader of the firm's Medicaid Practice Group. 'We provide those insights and deep industry knowledge to clients across the country, supporting innovation in client solutions.' As BerryDunn celebrates 25 years at MESC, the firm remains committed to helping agencies navigate complexity with clarity, purpose, and innovation. With deep expertise in policy, technology, and program excellence, BerryDunn continues to lead with insight and impact. About BerryDunn BerryDunn is the brand name under which Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC and BDMP Assurance, LLP, independently owned entities, provide services. Since 1974, BerryDunn has helped businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies throughout the US and its territories solve their greatest challenges. The firm's tax, advisory, and consulting services are provided by Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC, and its attest services are provided by BDMP Assurance, LLP, a licensed CPA firm. BerryDunn is a client-centered, people-first professional services firm with a mission to empower the meaningful growth of our people, clients, and communities. Led by CEO Sarah Belliveau, the firm has been recognized for its efforts in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, and for its focus on learning, development, and well-being. Learn more at
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Quantum-Si to Participate in the UBS Precision Medicine Frontiers Summit
BRANFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Quantum-Si Incorporated (Nasdaq: QSI) ("Quantum-Si," "QSI" or the "Company"), a proteomics technology company redefining protein analysis through single-molecule detection, today announced that it will be participating in the UBS Precision Medicine Frontiers Summit taking place at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, CA, August 13-14, 2025. Jeff Hawkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff Keyes, Chief Financial Officer, will be available for one-on-one meetings throughout the day on Thursday, August 14, 2025, and Jeff Hawkins will participate in the New Dimensions in Proteomics and Cellular Research panel on the same day from 8:15 – 8:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time. About Quantum-Si Incorporated Quantum-Si is transforming proteomics with a benchtop platform that brings single-molecule protein analysis to every lab, everywhere. The Company's platform enables real-time kinetic-based detection and allows researchers to move beyond traditional, multistep workflows and directly access dynamic, functional protein insights with unparalleled resolution. By making protein analysis simpler, faster, and more informative, Quantum-Si is accelerating proteomic discoveries to improve the way we live. Learn more at or follow us on LinkedIn or X.
