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Key people at The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson's with GBA.
The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson's with GBA was founded in 2017 by Jonathan Silverstein (Co-Founder).
The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA is a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing research for Parkinson’s disease specifically linked to GBA mutations. The foundation primarily operates through a fellowship program designed to identify and support emerging scientists focused on GBA-related Parkinson's disease (GBA-PD). They engage extensively with academic institutions, clinicians, and biotechnology companies to foster collaboration and accelerate the development of new therapies.
Founded in 2017 by Jonathan Silverstein, the foundation emerged from the critical need for targeted therapeutic approaches for GBA mutation carriers. Silverstein’s vision was to aggressively pursue innovative research that could lead to effective treatments and prevention strategies, recognizing the unique genetic aspect of this form of Parkinson’s disease. This focused approach aims to bridge gaps in current understanding and foster breakthroughs.
The foundation's efforts directly benefit a global network of researchers and, ultimately, individuals affected by GBA-related Parkinson's disease. Its overarching mission is to positively impact these patients by driving scientific discovery, accelerating clinical trials, and rapidly translating research into viable therapeutic options. The Silverstein Foundation strives to shape the future of GBA-PD treatment through sustained investment in scientific talent and collaborative research.
Key people at The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson's with GBA.
The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson's with GBA was founded in 2017 by Jonathan Silverstein (Co-Founder).
The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson's with GBA is not a company—it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[4] focused on research funding and advancing therapies for a specific genetic form of Parkinson's disease.
The Silverstein Foundation was founded in 2017[2] with a singular mission: to actively pursue and invest in cutting-edge research aimed at discovering new therapies for treating and preventing Parkinson's disease in glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutation carriers[2]. GBA mutations represent the disease's most common known genetic contributor[4].
The foundation operates through four core goals: raising awareness about GBA-associated Parkinson's and relevant clinical trials; aggressively seeking cutting-edge therapeutic approaches; engaging clinicians, scientists, and biotechnology companies to accelerate research; and raising necessary funds[2]. Rather than developing products itself, the foundation functions as a research accelerator and funding mechanism, directing resources toward external researchers and biotech companies working on GBA-related therapies.
Jonathan Silverstein, a healthcare venture capitalist at OrbiMed, received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease with a GBA mutation—a particularly aggressive form of the disease[5]. Recognizing the lack of progress in finding a cure and the limited treatment options available, Silverstein leveraged his professional expertise and personal urgency to establish the foundation with his wife Natalie[5].
The foundation began by raising $6 million from donors and contributing an additional $10 million of their own capital, which funded a dozen research projects and led to the creation of Prevail Therapeutics[3]. This initial investment strategy demonstrated the founders' commitment to translating research into clinical applications.
The Silverstein Foundation addresses a critical gap in Parkinson's research. While GBA mutations affect a significant subset of Parkinson's patients, this genetic form remained poorly understood and underfunded relative to idiopathic Parkinson's disease[5]. By concentrating resources on this specific genetic pathway, the foundation helps unlock insights that may have broader applications—understanding the GBA pathway could point to therapeutic approaches benefiting patients without GBA mutations as well[4].
The foundation's emphasis on translating research into clinical therapies reflects a venture capital mindset applied to nonprofit research funding, accelerating the typical academic-to-clinic timeline through strategic partnerships with biotechnology companies and clinical trial coordination.
The Silverstein Foundation represents a model where personal diagnosis catalyzes systematic, well-capitalized research acceleration. By shifting from broad grant-making to a fellowship program focused on developing researcher talent, the foundation is building long-term research capacity rather than funding isolated projects. As GBA-targeted therapies advance through clinical trials, the foundation's early investments and researcher network position it to influence how genetic forms of Parkinson's are understood and treated globally. The success of its portfolio companies in reaching clinical development stages suggests the model is working—demonstrating that focused, well-funded research on genetically defined diseases can yield tangible therapeutic progress.
