Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research announced a new educational initiative on November 4, 2026, aimed at helping people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers better understand deep brain stimulation as a treatment option.

Key Highlights

  • New education partnership: Medtronic is named the "premier partner" of MJFF's DBS education initiative, with MJFF maintaining editorial oversight of materials produced.
  • Dedicated online hub launched: "The Live On with DBS Education Hub" powered by The Michael J. Fox Foundation is available today at michaeljfox.org/dbs.
  • Medtronic's DBS history: According to the filing, Medtronic has supported DBS therapy for over 30 years and served more than 200,000 people with movement disorders and other conditions globally.
  • Adaptive DBS milestone: In 2025, the company introduced what it describes as "the world's first FDA-approved adaptive DBS system" for Parkinson's disease.
  • MJFF DBS research funding: Since its inception in 2000, MJFF has funded more than $29 million in DBS research for Parkinson's disease, the filing states.
  • Global Parkinson's prevalence: The filing cites an estimated 6 million people worldwide currently living with Parkinson's disease, a number "expected to double by 2040."

Medtronic and MJFF Aim to Close Parkinson's DBS Awareness Gap

According to the filing, Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research disclosed a collaboration to address what both organizations describe as awareness and understanding barriers around deep brain stimulation therapy for Parkinson's disease. The initiative will produce educational materials including a dedicated online hub, a practical guide, interactive webinars, and additional programming covering how DBS works, its potential benefits and risks, surgical preparation, and post-device life adjustments.

The filing quotes Sohini Chowdhury, MJFF's chief program officer, as stating the Foundation is "creating robust educational materials to help people explore what DBS may offer and to keep them updated on the latest scientific progress." Andrea Swain, identified as president of Neuromodulation and part of the Medtronic Neuroscience portfolio, is quoted saying that "innovation can only make a difference if people know it exists," and that the collaboration is intended to "help close a critical gap in therapy awareness." The filing notes that support from industry partners allows MJFF to "maintain editorial oversight in the creation of high-quality resources, while directing donor-raised dollars toward critical research."

The filing also references the Foundation's Registry for the Advancement of Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy in Parkinson's Disease (RAD-PD), which collects clinician and patient data to help guide care decisions and improve understanding of DBS outcomes, settings, side effects, and access. The filing includes a statement that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that "actual results may differ materially from anticipated results."

What Was Disclosed

Medtronic and The Michael J. Fox Foundation announced a DBS educational initiative on November 4, 2026, including an online resource hub now live at michaeljfox.org/dbs. Medtronic is identified as the premier partner; MJFF retains editorial oversight of materials produced under the arrangement.