Combining technologies to treat MND: Associate Professor Fazel Shabanpoor’s research
Imagine a world where we could fight motor neurone disease (MND) on multiple fronts at once. Targeting the processes causing the disease to progress. Associate Professor Fazel Shabanpoor, a 2024 FightMND Drug Development Grant recipient, is researching how to make this vision a reality.
As a researcher at the The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, Professor Shabanpoor is leading a cutting-edge project titled Development of a combination therapy for targeting protein aggregation and neuroinflammation as a next generation therapeutic for MND. By combining three innovative drug technologies into one powerful treatment, this project aims to tackle two of MND’s most damaging features. Toxic protein buildup and inflammation.
Despite decades of research, MND remains one of the most difficult diseases to treat, leaving many in the community with limited options. But now, thanks to this ambitious research, there’s hope a new, effective approach to slowing or even stopping MND in its tracks is on the horizon.
Targeting two key features of MND
The project focuses on developing a single therapeutic drug that can do two critical jobs: prevent harmful protein buildup inside motor neurons and reduce damaging inflammation.
“These two features—protein aggregation and inflammation—are some of the most common and harmful effects of MND,” explains Associate Professor Shabanpoor. “Rather than targeting one or the other, we want to tackle both at the same time with a unified treatment.”
Merging three powerful technologies
What makes this project truly innovative is the way it integrates three advanced drug technologies:
- Antisense gene therapy to correct genetic errors,
- Therapeutic peptides to reduce toxic protein buildup,
- And a brain drug delivery platform to ensure the treatment reaches the affected neurons effectively.
“All three technologies have already shown promise individually,” says Associate Professor Shabanpoor. “Now, for the first time, we’re merging them into a single therapy designed specifically for MND.”
A paradigm shift in drug development
Historically, MND treatments have focused on just one aspect of the disease at a time. An approach that hasn’t delivered major breakthroughs. Associate Professor Shabanpoor’s project takes a combination therapy approach, addressing multiple disease mechanisms simultaneously.
“Our goal is to shift the paradigm in MND drug development,” he explains. “We believe that by combining the strengths of multiple treatments into one, we can create a much more effective therapy.”
This innovative work would not be possible without the generous support of FightMND .
“As government funding for science continues to decline, the support from FightMND is absolutely essential,” says Associate Professor Shabanpoor. “Their 2024 Drug Development Grant gives us the resources we need to take this project to the next stage and ultimately move closer to a real treatment for people living with MND.”
Associate Professor Shabanpoor also emphasises the crucial role everyday Australians play in making this work happen.
“I want to sincerely thank the donors and supporters of FightMND. Your generosity enables researchers like us to pursue bold ideas and develop treatments that could change lives. Together, with science, support and generosity, we’re working towards a future where MND no longer takes so much.”
Join the Fight Against MND this Big Freeze 11
This Big Freeze, FightMND is calling on the Australian community to unite and live it forward for those who can’t. You can support life-changing research by purchasing your Big Freeze 11 Beanie at Coles, Bunnings, select Shell Reddy Express stores, or online at fightmnd.org.au.
Become part of the FightMND Army and show your support to the cause. Wear your Beanie proudly, organise events or get creative with ways to “freeze” MND. Don’t forget to share your actions on social media by tagging @fightmnd and using the hashtags #BigFreeze11, #LiveItForward, #TeamUpForBigFreeze11, and #FightMND.
This Big Freeze, Let’s live it forward for those in the fight against MND. Together, we can make a lasting impact.