SandboxAQ Partners with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in $25 Million Initiative to Develop Novel Treatments

SandboxAQ has received a $25 million grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to help create new treatments for Parkinson's disease by targeting the LRRK2 gene. Mutations in this gene are one of the main genetic causes of Parkinson’s. Through this partnership, SandboxAQ will use advanced AI tools to quickly analyze and design molecules that could become effective treatments. The company will work with the University of Dundee in Scotland to improve LRRK2 enzyme inhibitors and find new compounds that help control the enzyme’s activity. They aim to reach important milestones within two years. Dario Alessi, a program leader at Dundee, called the partnership a powerful collaboration that could speed up Parkinson’s treatment development. The LRRK2 gene is important for cell health, helping with communication and waste disposal. However, mutations in LRRK2 can make the enzyme overactive, leading to cell damage and Parkinson’s symptoms. Several drugs are in development for LRRK2, but none have yet been approved. The LITE program, which supports this research, connects companies with academic experts to turn scientific discoveries into real treatments and establish best practices for testing potential therapies. This is SandboxAQ’s second collaboration with MJFF; it is also working with KU Leuven in Belgium to develop therapies that target another gene, ATP10B, which is also linked to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.