MERCK
Merck, a leading science and technology company, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF), are advancing research aimed at slowing progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Through funding from MJFF’s “Biomarkers to Support Therapeutic Trials Program”, Merck's SMCxPRO® immunoassay technology has been used to help detect low levels of a biomarker associated with cell dysfunction in patients. Now, the service is available to the scientific community through support from the MJFF. This will make it possible to track the response of different therapeutic options to disease progression.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240618168747/en/
(Photo: Business Wire)
“Using the SMCxPRO® immunoassay technology to assess cell dysfunction represents a significant step forward in developing new treatment options for people fighting PD,” said Jean-Charles Wirth, Head of Science & Lab Solutions, Life Science business sector of Merck. “We’re proud to offer our service through support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation to make this research possible. Our goal is to empower breakthroughs in neuroscience research tools and other technologies that impact life and health with science.”
The research is focused on the biomarker pS65 ubiquitin (pS65-Ub). PD is a neurodegenerative disease that predominantly affects certain nerve cells in a specific area of the brain. By the time motor symptoms become visible, 60% to 80% of these cells have already been lost or impaired. Before that, affected cells stop functioning properly, which ultimately leads to their death. One readout of dysfunction in these cells is pS65-Ub. Extremely sensitive test methods are required to detect it. Using the SMCxPRO® immunoassay platform, used to quantify levels of a specific target within a sample, scientists can now detect small concentrations of pS65-Ub. This helps, for the first time, to track the response of different therapeutic options on disease progression.
“Ultrasensitive assays allow us to research multiple biomarkers we know play a role in disease progression. These would be valuable to diagnose and stratify patients and for future therapeutic development. Current known therapies for PD can treat symptoms but do not slow or halt disease progression. We are hopeful this collaboration will contribute to improved quality of life for patients,” said Nicole Polinski, PhD, director of research resources at MJFF.
Currently, PD impacts around 10 million people worldwide. Its prevalence has doubled in the past 25 years, making it the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. The number of people with the disease is expected to further grow to 20 million by the year 2050. Merck’s contribution to Parkinson research has been recognized by CiteAb Awards, based on being the company with the most citations related to Parkinson’s research in 2023.
About Merck
Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of € 21 billion in 65 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.
All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240618168747/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
ImmunAbs Announces FDA Phase 2 IND Approval of IM-101, a Novel Complement C5 Inhibitor, for Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis2.6.2025 13:00:00 CEST | Press release
ImmunAbs Inc., a clinical-stage biotech specializing in developing antibody therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of IM-101, a novel complement C5 inhibitor, for the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis. The forthcoming multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will enroll up to 90 patients to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of monthly IM-101 dosing in relieving complement-induced symptoms in MG. “This IND approval is pivotal for us as it brings us one step closer to delivering a transformative therapy for patients with autoimmune disorders”, said Dr. Dongjo Kim, the CEO of ImmunAbs, “we believe IM-101 has the potential to deliver deeper therapeutic responses and more durable remissions in patients who have failed to achieve sustained remission with current approved treatment.” About Myasthenia Gravis
Lenovo and Bellevue University Team Up to Offer Supply Chain and Logistics Education to Deliver “Smarter Technology for All”2.6.2025 13:00:00 CEST | Press release
Learners will have access to Lenovo’s globally recognized supply chain expertise through real-world case studies and subject matter experts. Lenovo, the global technology powerhouse, recognized in the top 10 in the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25, and Bellevue University, one of the nation’s top online universities, are teaming up to develop the next generation of supply chain professionals. “We believe that bringing real-world Global Supply Chain experience and learning directly into an education curriculum is precisely the optimal way to upskill the workforce of the future,” said Ben Massie, Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Lenovo. “Teaming up with Bellevue allows us to attract the right talent using the right technology and deliver on our mission to make ‘smarter technology for all’ a reality.” As a preferred higher education institution tapped to team up with Lenovo to offer supply chain short-term learning, Bellevue will leverage the breadth and depth of Lenovo’s supply chain expe
Lifezone Metals Files Initial Assessment for the Kabanga Nickel Project in Tanzania2.6.2025 12:30:00 CEST | Press release
Vertically Integrated Plan includes Hydrometallurgical Refinery at Kahama $2.37 Billion After-Tax NPV (8%) and 22.9% After-Tax IRR at $8.49 per Pound Nickel Price Initial Assessment Proposes a 22-Year Mine Plan at Average 2.39% Nickel Equivalent Grade Webcast with Technical Leadership Team at 10 AM ET on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Lifezone Metals Limited’s (NYSE: LZM) Chief Executive Officer, Chris Showalter, and Chief Operating Officer, Gerick Mouton, announce today the results from the Initial Assessment for its flagship Kabanga Nickel Project in northwest Tanzania. The Initial Assessment evaluates a vertically integrated mining, processing and refining operation, commencing with a high-grade nickel sulfide underground mine and concentrator at the Kabanga site, followed five years later by a hydrometallurgical refinery at Kahama. The study covers the Main, MNB, Kima, North, and Tembo zones and is based on the December 2024 Mineral Resource Update (refer to Lifezone’s December 5, 2024 news
Corpay Cross-Border Named an Official Partner of Real Madrid C.F.2.6.2025 12:00:00 CEST | Press release
Providing access to currency risk management and cross-border payments solutions Corpay, Inc.*, (NYSE: CPAY) a global leader in corporate payments, is pleased to announce that Corpay’s Cross-Border business has entered into an agreement with Real Madrid C.F. to become an Official Partner. Through this partnership, Real Madrid will be able to gain access to and utilise Corpay Cross Border’s innovative solutions to help mitigate foreign exchange exposure from their day-to-day business needs. "The Corpay Cross-Border team is elated to be named an Official Partner of Real Madrid, one of the world’s most widely recognized and followed sports franchises," said Brad Loder, Chief Marketing Officer, Corpay Cross-Border Solutions. “With our strong focus on growing the Corpay brand, as well as our currency risk management business, we are excited to partner with one of the most successful football clubs in the world.” About Corpay Corpay, Inc. (NYSE: CPAY) is a global S&P500 corporate payments co
BeOne Medicines Unveils Promising Clinical Data for Two Novel Breast Cancer Therapies at ASCO 20252.6.2025 12:00:00 CEST | Press release
Preliminary results highlight anti-tumor activity and favorable safety profiles of both B7-H4-targeting ADC and CDK2 inhibitorData underscore strength of emerging breast cancer pipeline as part of BeOne’s global transformation with next wave of innovation BeOne Medicines Ltd. (NASDAQ: ONC; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global oncology company, announced new clinical data from its emerging breast cancer pipeline at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. Poster presentations feature preliminary results of the dose escalation studies of two investigational molecules: BG-C9074, a novel B7-H4-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in patients with advanced solid tumors, including breast cancer, and BG-68501, a cyclin-dependent kinase-2 inhibitor (CDK2i), in HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients with prior CDK4/6i exposure. “Presenting the first clinical data for two novel breast cancer candidates at ASCO 2025 marks a pivotal moment for BeOne,” said Mark Lanas
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom