Cure Parkinson's

Introduction

flowchart TD
    institutions_cure_parkinsons["Cure Parkinsons"]
    style institutions_cure_parkinsons fill:#4fc3f7,stroke:#333,color:#000
    institutions_cure_pa_0["Mission and History"]
    institutions_cure_parkinsons -->|"includes"| institutions_cure_pa_0
    style institutions_cure_pa_0 fill:#81c784,stroke:#333,color:#000
    institutions_cure_pa_1["Mission"]
    institutions_cure_parkinsons -->|"includes"| institutions_cure_pa_1
    style institutions_cure_pa_1 fill:#ef5350,stroke:#333,color:#000
    institutions_cure_pa_2["History"]
    institutions_cure_parkinsons -->|"includes"| institutions_cure_pa_2
    style institutions_cure_pa_2 fill:#ffd54f,stroke:#333,color:#000
    institutions_cure_pa_3["International Linked Clinical Trials iLCT Prog"]
    institutions_cure_parkinsons -->|"includes"| institutions_cure_pa_3
    style institutions_cure_pa_3 fill:#ce93d8,stroke:#333,color:#000
    institutions_cure_pa_4["How iLCT Works"]
    institutions_cure_parkinsons -->|"includes"| institutions_cure_pa_4
    style institutions_cure_pa_4 fill:#4fc3f7,stroke:#333,color:#000
    institutions_cure_pa_5["Current iLCT Trials"]
    institutions_cure_parkinsons -->|"includes"| institutions_cure_pa_5
    style institutions_cure_pa_5 fill:#81c784,stroke:#333,color:#000

Cure Parkinson’s (formerly The Cure Parkinson’s Trust) is a leading UK-based charitable organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through funding and facilitating clinical trials. Founded in 2005 by Tom Isaacs and friends, the organization focuses specifically on disease-modifying therapies that can slow, stop, or reverse Parkinson’s progression

Mission and History

Mission

Cure Parkinson’s mission is to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease by funding and facilitating clinical trials for disease-modifying treatments. The organization takes a “clinical trials first” approach, prioritizing investments that will directly lead to human testing^{1Cure Parkinson's. Official websiteOpen reference}.

History

• 2005: Founded by Tom Isaacs and a group of people with Parkinson’s

• 2007: First clinical trial funded - the “GLP-1” trial with exenatide

• 2011: Launched the International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) program

• 2015: Expanded iLCT to become a truly international program

• 2017: Rebranded from “The Cure Parkinson’s Trust” to “Cure Parkinson’s”

• 2020: Over £50 million invested in clinical trials

• 2023: iLCT portfolio expanded to 20+ clinical trials

International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) Program

The International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) program is Cure Parkinson’s flagship initiative and one of the world’s most active drug repurposing programs for Parkinson’s disease^{2International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT). Cure Parkinson'sOpen reference}.

How iLCT Works

iLCT takes a systematic approach to drug repurposing:

1. Target Identification — Scientific advisory board reviews emerging PD research

2. Candidate Selection — Identifies approved drugs with potential disease-modifying effects

3. Clinical Trial Design — Works with international investigators to design trials

4. Multi-Center Testing — Runs trials across multiple countries simultaneously

5. Data Sharing — Pooling data to accelerate conclusions

Current iLCT Trials

Key iLCT Milestones

• 2017: Exenatide Phase 2 trial shows promising results^{3Exenatide once weekly versus placebo in Parkinson's disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2017 · The Lancet · PMID 28781113Open reference}

• 2019: Inosine Phase 2 trial demonstrates urate elevation is safe

• 2021: Phase 3 trials launched for multiple candidates

• 2023: iLCT portfolio reaches 20+ trials across all phases

Research Focus Areas

Cure Parkinson’s prioritizes research targeting:

• Neuroprotection — Preserving surviving neurons

• Neurorestoration — Repairing damaged neural circuits

• Alpha-synuclein modulation — Reducing toxic protein aggregation

• Mitochondrial function — Improving cellular energy metabolism

• Neuroinflammation — Modulating immune responses

• Synaptic function — Maintaining neuronal communication

Funding and Partnerships

Funding Sources

• Individual donors and supporters

• Trust and foundation grants

• Corporate partnerships

• Events and fundraising activities

Academic Partnerships

Cure Parkinson’s works with leading research institutions:

• University College London (UCL)

• University of Cambridge

• King’s College London

• University of Oxford

• International partner sites across Europe, US, and Australia

Industry Partnerships

The organization collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to accelerate trials:

• Provides patient access and trial infrastructure

• Shares biological samples and data

• Co-funds clinical development

Leadership

• Tim Wright — Chair of Trustees

• Dr. Simon Stott — Director of Research

• Katherine Jones — Chief Executive

Scientific Advisory Board

The iLCT Scientific Advisory Board includes leading PD researchers from around the world who review and prioritize candidate drugs.

Impact and Achievements

Key Achievements

1. Pioneered drug repurposing for PD — Established the model of testing approved drugs

2. Advanced exenatide — From concept to Phase 3 trials (over 15 years of investment)

3. Created international network — iLCT spans 5+ countries with 50+ sites

4. Influenced pharma engagement — Major companies now actively participate in iLCT

5. Generated high-impact publications — Multiple peer-reviewed papers in top journals

Exenatide Story

The exenatide program is Cure Parkinson’s most notable success:

• Funded first pilot study in 2007

• Showed significant motor improvement in Phase 2 trial (2017)

• Now in Phase 3 clinical trials

• Demonstrates the potential of drug repurposing for PD

Drug Candidates in Detail

Exenatide

Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed for Type 2 diabetes. The drug works by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain, which may protect dopaminergic neurons from degeneration^{4GLP-1 receptor agonists and neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease2019 · Journal of Parkinson's Disease · PMID 31762476Open reference}. The Phase 2 trial demonstrated significant improvements in motor scores (OFF-medication) after 48 weeks of treatment, with effects persisting during the 12-week follow-up washout period^{3Exenatide once weekly versus placebo in Parkinson's disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2017 · The Lancet · PMID 28781113Open reference}. A subsequent open-label follow-up study showed continued benefit after 2 years of treatment^{5GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide in Parkinson's disease: 1-year follow-up2019 · Neurology · PMID 31471478Open reference}.

Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor activation leads to:

• Reduced mitochondrial dysfunction

• Decreased neuroinflammation

• Enhanced autophagy of alpha-synuclein aggregates

• Improved synaptic function

Inosine

Inosine is a urate-elevating therapy that raises serum urate levels. Higher urate has been associated with slower PD progression in epidemiological studies^{6Inosine to elevate urate in Parkinson's disease2015 · Journal of the Neurological Sciences · PMID 25623462Open reference}. The Phase 2 trial (SURE-PD3) demonstrated that inosine was safe and well-tolerated, successfully elevating urate levels in participants.

Mechanism: Urate acts as a natural antioxidant and may:

• Scavenge peroxynitrite

• Protect against oxidative stress

• Reduce iron-mediated neurodegeneration

Simvastatin

Simvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor with potential neuroprotective properties beyond its cholesterol-lowering effects^{7Simvastatin as a disease-modifying therapy in Parkinson's disease2018 · Movement Disorders · PMID 29624754Open reference}. The phase 2 trial explored whether simvastatin could slow disease progression in early-stage PD patients.

Mechanism: Statins may provide neuroprotection through:

• Reduced neuroinflammation

• Improved cerebral blood flow

• Inhibition of protein isoprenylation

• Enhanced mitochondrial function

Metformin

Metformin is the most widely prescribed diabetes medication and has shown promise in neuroprotection^{8Metformin for neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease2019 · Neurobiology of Disease · PMID 31154028Open reference}. It activates AMPK, which triggers cellular energy sensors and promotes stress resistance.

Mechanism: Metformin may protect neurons through:

• AMPK activation

• Reduced mTOR signaling

• Enhanced autophagy

• Improved mitochondrial biogenesis

Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that may protect dopaminergic neurons from calcium dysregulation, a key feature of PD pathology^{9Amlodipine and neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease2021 · Journal of Neural Transmission · PMID 33893847Open reference}.

Mechanism: Calcium channel blockers may:

• Reduce calcium-induced oxidative stress

• Protect vulnerable substantia nigra neurons

• Improve mitochondrial calcium handling

Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor being tested for cognitive dysfunction in PD^{2International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT). Cure Parkinson'sOpen reference}0. While primarily targeting attention and executive function, it may also have disease-modifying potential.

Mechanism: Atomoxetine may improve:

• Executive function and attention

• Frontal cortex activity

• Noradrenergic neurotransmission

Clinical Trial Infrastructure

International Network

The iLCT program operates across multiple countries:

Patient Recruitment

Cure Parkinson’s has developed robust patient recruitment strategies:

1. Patient Registry: Thousands of registered patients interested in clinical trials

2. Patient Advocacy Groups: Partnerships with national PD organizations

3. Specialist Centers: Network of movement disorder specialists

4. Digital Outreach: Online platforms for patient engagement

Patient Outcomes and Impact

Clinical Trial Results

The iLCT program has generated important clinical data:

• Motor Improvement: Exenatide showed 4.5-point improvement in MDS-UPDRS OFF-medication scores

• Safety Profile: All drug candidates demonstrated acceptable safety profiles

• Biomarker Studies: Collection of biomarkers including CSF, blood, and imaging data

• Quality of Life: Assessment of non-motor symptoms and quality of life measures

Long-term Follow-up

Cure Parkinson’s emphasizes long-term follow-up:

• Open-label extensions for completed trials

• Patient registries for long-term outcome tracking

• Post-marketing surveillance for approved indications

Funding Model

Investment Strategy

Cure Parkinson’s takes a strategic approach to funding:

1. Early-Stage Investment: Funding Phase 1/2 trials to generate proof-of-concept

2. De-risking: Reducing investor risk through charitable funding

3. Leveraging: Matching charity funding with industry and government contributions

4. Exit Strategy: Partnering with pharma for late-stage development

Financial Highlights

Future Directions

Upcoming Trials

The iLCT pipeline continues to expand:

• New Candidates: Several new drug candidates in pre-clinical development

• Combination Therapy: Testing drug combinations for synergistic effects

• Precision Medicine: Biomarker-driven patient selection

• Gene Therapy: Exploration of gene therapy approaches

Research Priorities

Future research priorities include:

1. Alpha-synuclein Targeting: Drugs that reduce or clear alpha-synuclein aggregation

2. Neuroinflammation Modulation: Anti-inflammatory approaches

3. Neurorestoration: Cell replacement and repair therapies

4. Biomarker Development: Early detection and treatment response markers

Governance and Oversight

Regulatory Compliance

All iLCT trials are:

• Approved by relevant regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, MHRA)

• Conducted under IND/CTA applications

• Monitored by independent data safety monitoring boards

• Compliant with ICH-GCP guidelines

Ethical Standards

Cure Parkinson’s maintains high ethical standards:

• All trials include informed consent

• Patient safety is paramount

• Results are published regardless of outcome

• Data sharing is encouraged

Patient Engagement

Patient Advisory Board

The organization includes patient representatives:

• Input on trial design

• Feedback on patient burden

• Communication strategies

• Advocacy for patient rights

Support Resources

Cure Parkinson’s provides resources for patients:

• Clinical trial information and education

• Connection to patient support groups

• Updates on research progress

• Information about eligibility criteria

The Founder’s Story

Tom Isaacs: Founding Vision

Tom Isaacs, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 27, founded The Cure Parkinson’s Trust in 2005. His personal experience with the disease drove the organization’s mission to accelerate the development of disease-modifying treatments^{2International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT). Cure Parkinson'sOpen reference}1.

Tom’s vision was simple but powerful: bring together people with Parkinson’s, researchers, and clinicians to find a cure faster. His approach emphasized:

• Patient-led advocacy

• Urgency in finding treatments

• Collaborative research

• Transparency in progress

The organization’s founding principles remain central to its work today:

1. Patient-Centricity: Every decision considers the impact on people with PD

2. Scientific Rigor: Only support trials with strong scientific rationale

3. Collaboration: Work with all stakeholders to accelerate progress

4. Transparency: Share results openly, whether positive or negative

Scientific Advisory Board

The iLCT Scientific Advisory Board comprises internationally recognized Parkinson’s disease researchers:

Current Members

The board meets quarterly to:

• Review new drug candidates

• Prioritize trials in the pipeline

• Assess emerging scientific evidence

• Advise on trial design and endpoints

Research Impact and Metrics

Publications and Citations

iLCT-funded research has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications:

• Lancet 2017: Exenatide Phase 2 trial^{2International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT). Cure Parkinson'sOpen reference}2

• Brain 2014: Novel pharmacological targets review^{2International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT). Cure Parkinson'sOpen reference}3

• Nature Reviews Neurology 2021: Drug development advances^{2International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT). Cure Parkinson'sOpen reference}4

Trial Success Metrics

Partnership Models

Industry Collaboration

Cure Parkinson’s partners with pharmaceutical companies in several ways:

1. Co-funding: Joint investment in clinical trials

2. Drug Supply: Provision of study medication

3. Regulatory Support: Advice on regulatory strategy

4. Data Sharing: Pooling of clinical data

Academic Partnerships

Academic institutions play a crucial role:

• Trial Sites: Running clinical trials at leading centers

• Biomarker Development: Developing and validating biomarkers

• Mechanism Studies: Investigating drug mechanisms of action

• Publication: Producing peer-reviewed publications

Patient Organization Partnerships

Partnerships with patient organizations include:

• Recruitment support

• Patient education

• Advocacy coordination

• Fundraising collaboration

Education and Outreach

Annual Conference

Cure Parkinson’s hosts an annual conference:

• Location: Rotates between UK cities

• Attendance: 500+ patients, caregivers, and researchers

• Content: Research updates, patient stories, trial results

Online Resources

The organization provides:

• Website: Comprehensive PD information

• Newsletter: Monthly research updates

• Social Media: Active engagement on Twitter, Facebook

• Webinars: Online education sessions

Financial Transparency

Annual Reports

Cure Parkinson’s publishes annual reports including:

• Financial statements

• Research expenditure breakdown

• Impact metrics

• Future plans

Funding Allocation

Global Health Impact

Economic Burden of Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s disease represents a significant global health burden:

• Prevalence: Over 10 million people worldwide

• Economic Cost: Estimated $52 billion annually in the US alone

• Informal Care: 60% of PD costs are from informal caregiving

• Productivity Loss: Significant impact on patients and caregivers

Cost-Effectiveness of Disease-Modifying Therapies

Finding disease-modifying treatments would have massive impact:

• Delayed Disability: Each year of delay saves ~$100,000 in care costs

• Quality of Life: Significant improvements in patient well-being

• Caregiver Burden: Reduced need for long-term care

• Societal Benefit: Extended productive years

Comparison with Other Diseases

Drug repurposing for PD has advantages:

• Established safety profiles of existing drugs

• Reduced development time and costs

• Faster path to patients

• Lower risk of failure

Future Vision

Long-Term Goals

Cure Parkinson’s has ambitious long-term goals:

1. 2025: Have at least one disease-modifying treatment in late-stage trials

2. 2030: First disease-modifying treatment approved

3. 2035: Multiple effective treatments available

4. 2040: Shift focus to prevention and cure

Strategic Priorities

The organization is focused on:

• Expanding the iLCT pipeline

• Increasing international reach

• Developing biomarker capabilities

• Building precision medicine approaches

Cross-Links to Related Content

Related Diseases

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Trials

Related Mechanisms

• Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation Pathway

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson’s

• GLP-1 Receptor in Neurodegeneration

Related Treatments

• Exenatide for Parkinson’s

• Disease-Modifying Therapies

• GLP-1 Agonists

Related Institutions

• Michael J. Fox Foundation

• Parkinson’s Foundation

See Also

• Parkinson’s Disease Drug Development Pipeline

• PD Clinical Trials