Biogen and the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center have formed a strategic alliance focused on enhancing the understanding of the underlying biology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and the creation of tools and programs that could accelerate research and the development of new PD treatments. The agreement will combine the e clinical expertise and data of the Institute with Biogen's focus on neurodegenerative disease and approach to clinical development.

Under the agreement, Biogen will fund research activities by the Institute and provide strategic insight into research design, data analysis, and program support.The multi-year collaboration includes a PD-related activities designed to drive advances in basic science and treatment including: discovery of gene targets and modifier genes that might serve as novel therapeutic targets; the creation of well-defined patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC); a as study of gastrointestinal symptoms related to PD; a search for quantitative and symptom-based trial endpoints; and the potential identification of new therapeutic approval pathways. The collaborative effort will be enhanced by information from the Institute's Brain and Tissue Knowledge Bank, which contains patient biological samples, profiles, family health histories, and clinical outcomes.

Source: Biogen