Keapstone Therapeutics, a new biotech formed by the University of Sheffield and Parkinson’s UK to develop new drugs for Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, and Sygnature Discovery, a UK-based drug discovery service provider, will collaborate to discover new treatments for Parkinson’s and Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

Keapstone Therapeutics will build on research undertaken at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) and an international collaboration with the European Lead Factory, during which Richard Mead of SITraN discovered novel small molecules that prevent the interaction between two proteins known as Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (KEAP1) and Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) to increase the survival of neurons in both Parkinson’s and MND. In collaboration with Sygnature Discovery, Keapstone Therapeutics will now further optimize these molecules to afford drug candidates with the potential to slow or even prevent the progression of these neurodegenerative diseases.

“We are very excited about this new partnership with Parkinson’s UK,” said Keapstone’s Richard Mead. “It is a great opportunity for us to pursue a novel drug discovery program for both Parkinson’s and MND. We will now progress these molecules through the next stage of drug development with Sygnature Discovery and Peak Proteins.”