The Michael J. Fox Foundation Expands Fox Trial Finder To Help Accelerate Parkinson's Trials Worldwide

Online tool now a global resource to clinical teams and trial volunteers

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) launches its clinical research matching tool Fox Trial Finder (www.foxtrialfinder.org) globally. Previously limited to five English-speaking countries, Fox Trial Finder is now accessible to both trial volunteers and clinical teams across the globe, increasing both the number of Parkinson's clinical trials in the database as well as the number of volunteers who can register to find studies specifically seeking participants like them.

"From our extensive work with the Parkinson's community, we know that people living with the disease are highly motivated to participate in research," said Todd Sherer, PhD, CEO of MJFF. "Expanding Fox Trial Finder will help to grow the clinical research community and encourage more people around the world to enroll in trials. No matter how much funding, collaboration and effort are put behind drug development, research cannot move forward without the help and involvement of clinical research volunteers."

Given the prevalence of clinical research in Western Europe (more than 250 ongoing Parkinson's trials), MJFF has partnered with leaders in Parkinson's research in Austria, Germany, France, Italy and Spain to increase awareness of the tool in these countries. Additionally, all Fox Trial Finder content is now available in French, German, Italian and Spanish.

"The expansion of Fox Trial Finder is a really positive step forward in the international effort to help find a cure for Parkinson's," says Eduardo Tolosa, MD, PhD, director of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Unit at Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. "The more ways we can help people get involved in clinical trials, the more trials can be completed, enabling the development of better treatments and drugs for people with Parkinson's – and ultimately a cure."

How It Works: A Resource for Patients and Researchers Alike

Fox Trial Finder volunteers fill out a simple, secure registration form with information such as geographic location and medical history. The site then compares this information against its database of Parkinson's clinical trials and returns a short list of the best potential matches. The volunteer reviews these matches and can use a built-in messaging function to connect with trial teams. Volunteers receive email notifications when new trials launch that need them — effortlessly staying up to date on their best trial matches. Participants' privacy is protected by state-of-the-art security protocols; personal identifiers remain private unless and until volunteers proactively choose to share this information with a trial team.

Fox Trial Finder is also a resource for trial teams actively seeking participants for their trials. Registered trial team members can review de-identified profiles of eligible individuals in their area. They can also reach out to potential participants directly, through the site's built-in, anonymous messaging system, to explore the qualifications and appropriateness of the individual for their trial. To be posted to the site, all studies must have obtained ethical approval.

To date, Fox Trial Finder has registered more than 24,000 volunteers across the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Australia. The site's next goal is to reach 30,000 volunteers worldwide by year-end 2013, though tens of thousands more remain needed for studies.

To create a profile and start finding potential trial matches today, visit www.foxtrialfinder.org.

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. Founded by the Hollywood actor, Michael J. Fox in 2000, the Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research agenda. This is coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $375 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.

SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation