Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute renew funding for clinical trials programme

A funding agreement has been renewed to support what is described as the world’s largest drug repurposing clinical trial initiative for Parkinson’s disease.

As part of the three-year agreement, US$750,000 will be pledged annually by charity Cure Parkinson’s and independent research facility, Van Andel Institute (VAI), to the International Linked Clinical Trials Programme.

The programme supports clinical trials that evaluate potentially disease-modifying treatments.

Many of the medications included are repurposed, meaning they were originally designed or approved to treat other diseases.

This approach can save time and resources because candidate medications have already cleared rigorous safety and efficacy testing.

Helen Matthews, chief executive of Cure Parkinson’s, said: “Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute are pleased and proud to renew our funding partnership for a further three years, having partnered successfully since 2014.

“This new matched funding agreement makes between US$1,500,000 and US$1,750,000 available each year for disease-modifying Parkinson’s research.

“The funding will support clinical trials and related projects as part of the International Linked Clinical Trials initiative, our thriving global programme that aims to develop new treatments to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s.”

Medications are reviewed and prioritised by the programme’s scientific committee, which comprises Parkinson’s researchers, medical professionals and advocates.

Approximately 40 per cent of the drugs being researched as disease-modifying treatments have been prioritised for clinical trials by the programme.

To date, more than 6,800 people with Parkinson’s have participated in an associated trial.

Of the 47 trials launched since the programme’s inception, 19 are ongoing and 28 are completed. VAI funds have supported 10 of these trials.

Darren Moore, the Jay Van Andel endowed chair in Parkinson’s disease research at VAI and a member of the scientific committee, said: “Together with Cure Parkinson’s, we are thrilled to reaffirm our longstanding support of the International Linked Clinical Trials Programme.

“Our renewed agreement will enable the programme to continue seeking promising new therapies, with the goal of identifying much-needed ways to impede disease progression and improve quality of life.”