Heights Bio-Science Firm Gets Grant from Michael J. Fox Foundation

Zymes, LLC a bio-science company based in Hasbrouck Heights that combines science, technology and nature to create products that improve quality of life, has received a two-year $476,000 grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Therapeutics Development Initiative Fall 2010 program.

The project titled, "Evaluation of the Neuroprotectivity Ability of Zymes' Water-soluble CoQ10 (WS-CoQ10) in Animal Models of PD (Parkinson's disease): Preclinical Validation and Dose Optimizations for Clinical Study" will be conducted by Zymes in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the University of Windsor of Ontario, Canada.

"We are pleased to be able to continue our work in the field of Parkinson's disease and to validate that our water-soluble formulation of CoQ10 and Vitamin E will deliver neuroprotection and slow the progression of PD.  The proposed studies should complete our preclinical assessment of WS-CoQ10 formulation in preparation of taking it to clinical trials and ultimately to Parkinson's patients.  We thank the MJFF for their generous support of our research," stated Dr. Shelley Weinstock, SVP of Research and Scientific Affairs at Zymes in a statement. She is the principal investigator on the grant.

The antioxidant CoQ10 has been the subject of investigation as a potentially disease-modifying therapy for PD for years. Based on available evidence, extremely high doses may be required for an effect. This approach is currently being evaluated in a National Institutes of Health funded clinical study vetting common formulations of CoQ10 as a Parkinson's treatment. Zymes' formulation may increase CoQ10's efficacy in the brain allowing for its use at lower dosages.

The results of both studies should help researchers more fully understand the potential of CoQ10 as a disease-modifying therapy for PD.