J. Fox urges speedier therapies for diseases like Parkinson's

May 7, 2007

I agree, speed it up already!

By Rodrique Ngowi

BOSTON (AP) - Actor J. Fox appealed to scientists and

investors Monday to aggressively translate scientific research into

creative treatments for debilitating diseases, including the

Parkinson's disease he has fought for more than a decade.

Fox said grants from the National Institute of Health have created a

system that mainly encourages academic scientists to publish papers

that yield academically interesting answers. But the system fails to

translate the discoveries into new treatments and cures.

He said pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies aren't interested

in high-risk studies critical in determining whether creative ideas

could yield therapies for the 20,000 human diseases that have no cure.

They are more interested in repackaging old ideas and compounds in an

effort to continue reaping vast returns.

" Levodopa is the gold-standard treatment for Parkinson's ... But it's

a little frustrating that the best drug we've got is one that's been

around for 40 years. Forty years! " Fox said Monday at the BIO

International Convention, a four-day event expected to attract more

than 20,000 researchers, investors, activists and others.

" But, hey, credit where credit is due - I couldn't be happier about

the recent advances. What comes to mind is antidepressants for dogs,

which makes it a little easier for me because my dog is feeling

better, " said Fox, who either put one hand in his pocket or gripped

the podium to control visible symptoms of his disease.

Fox, 45, who starred on TV's " Family Ties " and " Spin City " as well as

the " Back to the Future " films, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991

and revealed his condition publicly in 1998.

In 2000, he quit full-time acting because of his symptoms and founded

the J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Last year, his

foundation committed US$7.5 million across seven grant programs to 16

companies, and the number is expected to grow this year.

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