FAMU researcher identifies potential drug candidates for Parkinson’s disease

Research for Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that affects about 1.5 million people in America and millions more worldwide, may be a step closer to preventing some of the effects of the illness. Florida A&M University Scientist Nazarius Lamango has synthesized promising compounds for Parkinson’s disease that caught the attention of a biopharmaceutical company.

Lamango, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry in the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and his research team have determined that the prenylation pathway in the brain may be negatively affected in Parkinson’s disease. By introducing prenyl-L-cysteine compounds that modulate this biochemical pathway, the side effects of tremors, rigidity, hypokinesia and postural abnormalities observed in their experimental model of Parkinson’s disease were blocked. It is hoped that these prenyl-L-cysteine analogs may have similar beneficial effects in Parkinson’s and other neurological disease patients whose prenylation pathway enzymes may not be functioning properly.

FAMU has entered into an exclusive license with Signum Biosciences with the hope that Signum will be able to develop commercializable therapeutics based on Lamango’s research which is supported by the National Institutes of Health. Signum has licensed the rights to related patents from Princeton University and Harvard University, and is moving forward aggressively in this area. The FAMU Office of Technology Transfer, Licensing and Commercialization has worked with Lamango every step of the way in this endeavor to identify a licensing partner. “The FAMU faculty is involved in pioneering research that has tremendous potential for public use and benefit,” said Director Rose Glee. “This licensing deal will also enhance the University’s technology transfer infrastructure.”

Dr. Gregory Stock, CEO of Signum, is enthusiastic about the possibilities of Lamango’s research. “There is a real need for new therapeutics for Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases,” he said. “Lamango’s research points to some very promising approaches.” Signum, a biotechnology company in New Jersey, focuses on the commercialization of new effective, innovative and economical drugs to prevent and treat diseases of aging. Lamango’s patented methodology, coupled with research from other scientists, may give Signum a viable therapeutic product to take to the marketplace.