JP Conte’s $5 million donation to the University of California, San Francisco Department of Neurology in late 2024 established two endowed professorships focused on Parkinson’s disease research—a commitment born from watching his father, Pierre Conte, battle with the condition. This philanthropic investment arrives as the global neuroscience market experiences unprecedented growth, with the sector expected to reach $53.9 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%.
The Managing Partner of a San Francisco-based private equity firm and founder of family office Lupine Crest Capital, Conte brings decades of investment expertise to his philanthropic endeavors. His approach to Parkinson’s research funding exemplifies a broader trend among family offices, with 53% maintaining AI healthcare investments and another 26% actively exploring the space, according to Citi Private Bank’s 2024 Global Family Office Survey.
Pierre Conte, JP Conte’s father, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, was the catalyst for this significant contribution to neurological research. The neurotechnology segment specifically, which encompasses treatments and diagnostic tools for conditions like Parkinson’s, projects even more aggressive growth—advancing from $15.35 billion in 2024 to $53.18 billion by 2034, representing a 13.23% CAGR.
Funding Surge Reflects Scientific Promise
The timing of Conte’s investment coincides with a significant acceleration in Parkinson’s research funding nationwide. The American Parkinson Disease Association announced $4.04 million in new research grants for 2025–2026, marking a 55% increase from the previous year. The Parkinson’s Foundation added $4.3 million for 44 projects, while the Michael J. Fox Foundation launched new bridge funding programs to prevent research interruptions.
This coordinated funding surge reflects growing confidence in the scientific community’s ability to develop breakthrough treatments. Government initiatives amplify private sector impact—the Department of Defense’s Parkinson’s Research Program provides additional support through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, focusing on biological mechanisms and biomarkers for unmet medical needs.
JP Conte’s dual role as investment leader and philanthropist positions him uniquely within this ecosystem. The cognitive neuroscience sector alone, valued at $38.77 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed $90.08 billion by 2037, driven by the rising prevalence of neurological disorders and an aging population.
Patient Capital Meets Patient Care
Family offices bring structural advantages to neuroscience research that traditional venture capital cannot match. Unlike VC firms constrained by 10-year fund lifecycles, family offices can support research requiring 15-20 year development cycles typical of neurological treatments. As Michael Harrington, partner at Duane Morris LLP, observes, family offices “are not burdened with a 10-year fund life and have no limited partners, to whom they have a fiduciary obligation.”
This patient capital approach proves essential for Parkinson’s research, where drug development often spans decades from laboratory discovery to clinical application. Conte’s UCSF contribution supports foundational research that may take years to yield results, yet positions the institution at the forefront of treatment development.
Technological advancements accelerate research capabilities. Brain imaging innovations, including functional MRI and electroencephalography, have “significantly improved neuroimaging accuracy, facilitating early diagnosis of brain disorders,” according to industry analysis. These tools enable researchers to track disease progression and treatment efficacy with unprecedented precision.
Investment Philosophy Shaped by Experience
JP Conte’s approach through Lupine Crest Capital reflects both personal experience and professional acumen. His investment philosophy, refined through decades of private equity leadership, recognizes that transformative medical breakthroughs require sustained commitment beyond quarterly earnings cycles.
Recent market activity validates this thesis. Neurotechnology companies attracted significant capital in 2025, with Neuralink raising approximately $500 million at an $8.5 billion valuation. FINTRX data reveals single-family offices executed at least 24 direct deals in January 2025 alone, with healthcare representing a core focus area.
The research infrastructure supporting these investments continues to strengthen. APDA’s post-doctoral fellowships support scientists whose work “holds promise to provide new insights into the pathophysiology, etiology, and treatment of PD.” Since 1961, these programs have invested more than $65 million, creating a pipeline of trained researchers and validated therapeutic approaches.
Market Convergence Creates Opportunity
The neuroscience sector’s evolution from academic pursuit to investment opportunity reflects fundamental healthcare shifts. The global market’s projected expansion from $35.9 billion in 2024 to $48.0 billion by 2033 suggests sustained confidence in neurological research outcomes.
Multiple factors drive this growth. An aging global population increases the prevalence of neurological disorders. Research institutions report Parkinson’s affects one million Americans and ranks as the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S., intensifying urgency for innovative treatments. Meanwhile, collaborative funding models between foundations, government programs, and private investors create robust support networks for promising research.
JP Conte’s philanthropic strategy demonstrates how personal experience, investment expertise, and patient capital can accelerate scientific progress. His father’s battle with Parkinson’s transformed from personal tragedy into purposeful action, channelling private equity discipline toward medical breakthrough potential.
Family offices, unburdened by traditional investment constraints and motivated by both financial returns and social impact, emerge as ideal partners for institutions pursuing neurological breakthroughs. Their combination of patient capital, sophisticated expertise, and personal commitment positions them to support the lengthy, complex journey from laboratory discovery to clinical application—precisely the timeline required for meaningful progress against devastating neurological conditions.
