Scenic Biotech has joined the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange programme to evaluate its PLA2G15 inhibitor programme as a potential treatment approach for Parkinson’s disease.

The collaboration will assess Scenic’s investigational small-molecule inhibitors in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease, including models relevant to patients with LRRK2 mutations. The work aims to generate translational data that could inform future clinical development.

The programme will use research infrastructure and biomarker capabilities available through the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s LITE initiative, with initial studies taking place in validated preclinical models developed at the University of Dundee.

Scenic’s research focuses on PLA2G15, an enzyme involved in lysosomal biology. The company is developing brain-penetrant inhibitors designed to modulate this pathway as part of its broader neurometabolic research strategy.

Shalini Padmanabhan, senior vice president of discovery and translational research at the Michael J. Fox Foundation, said: “One of LITE’s core objectives is to accelerate and streamline the evaluation of promising therapeutic strategies connected to LRRK2 biology.”

She added: “Scenic offers a unique perspective on LRRK2-related mechanisms, focusing on lysosomal health and lipid metabolism. We are pleased to welcome Scenic to the program and look forward to strengthening the evidence linking lysosomal biology to Parkinson’s disease.”

Roland Bűrli, chief scientific officer of Scenic Biotech, said: “Joining LITE is an important step as we expand PLA2G15 beyond rare diseases.”

He added: “We will combine our first-in-class approach with LITE’s LRRK2 expertise, biomarker infrastructure, and leading academic models to test whether improving lysosomal function can deliver meaningful patient benefit.”

The collaboration represents an expansion of Scenic’s research into Parkinson’s disease while leveraging existing preclinical resources and expertise within the LITE consortium to investigate a novel therapeutic mechanism.