Booster Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing small-molecule activators of the 20S proteasome, has received a US$5 million research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The grant, part of MJFF’s Therapeutics Pipeline Program, will support the development of Booster’s proteasome activator candidates toward a first‑in‑human Phase 1 clinical trial.
Booster’s strategy is to restore the cell’s protein quality control machinery by directly reactivating the 20S proteasome. This differs from more common approaches that tag specific proteins for degradation; instead, Booster aims to clear a broad range of misfolded and “deviant” proteins that accumulate in complex diseases such as Parkinson’s.
According to Booster, the funding will accelerate its lead development program, enabling in-depth preclinical evaluation and preparation for human dosing. The company emphasised that proteasome dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases by allowing toxic proteins to persist in cells, and that its activator molecules could offer a more holistic way to restore cellular homeostasis.
Booster Therapeutics was founded by scientists experienced in protein degradation biology. The company leverages its DGRADX™ discovery platform to identify and optimize novel activators of the 20S proteasome, with a pipeline focused initially on neurodegenerative conditions tied to protein accumulation.
