Michael J. Fox Honored with Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award for Parkinson's Research Leadership
Event summary
- Michael J. Fox received the 2026 Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award for his contributions to Parkinson's research.
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) has funded over $3 billion in Parkinson's research, including partnerships with ASAP and the Sergey Brin Family Foundation.
- MJFF has supported 23 new drug approvals in the past decade and now invests more annually in Parkinson's research than the U.S. federal government.
- Fox's advocacy helped secure the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act in July 2024, establishing the National Parkinson's Project.
The big picture
Michael J. Fox's leadership has transformed Parkinson's research from a chronically underfunded field into one with a robust therapeutic pipeline. His entrepreneurial approach to biomedical philanthropy, combined with strategic partnerships and advocacy, has positioned MJFF as a key player in accelerating scientific discovery. The Lasker Award underscores the growing recognition of patient-centered research models in driving medical advancements.
What we're watching
- Funding Momentum
- Whether MJFF can sustain its current pace of research funding and partnerships to maintain its lead in Parkinson's research.
- Policy Influence
- How the National Parkinson's Project will impact federal funding and research priorities for Parkinson's disease.
- Therapeutic Breakthroughs
- The pace at which MJFF's supported research translates into new therapies and potential cures for Parkinson's.
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