Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that affects millions worldwide, and as researchers continue to unravel its intricacies, the future looks promising. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is set to host its 16th Annual Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics Conference (PDTC) on October 17, 2024, in New York City. The one day conference is set to be a pivotal event for clinicians, researchers, and advocates. This year’s conference will focus on the latest advancements in therapeutic strategies and innovative treatments, showcasing cutting-edge research and potential breakthroughs.
Key Themes of the Conference
The conference will gather experts from various fields to discuss critical topics, including:
Novel Therapeutic Approaches: Attendees will explore new treatments that aim to modify the progression of Parkinson’s disease, rather than just managing its symptoms. This includes insights into gene therapies, cell-based therapies, and innovative drug development.
Biomarkers and Early Detection: Early diagnosis can significantly improve outcomes for patients. Researchers will present findings on biomarkers that could lead to earlier detection and personalized treatment plans.
Patient-Centric Research: Engaging patients in the research process is crucial. The conference will highlight efforts to involve patients in clinical trials and the importance of their perspectives in shaping research priorities.
Notable Speakers
This year’s conference features an impressive lineup of speakers, including:
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Bruce Morimoto, PhD: Vice President of Drug Development at Alto Neuroscience, with extensive experience in developing innovative medicines for neurodegenerative diseases
Mark Frasier, PhD: Chief Scientist at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, who plays a crucial role in identifying and supporting promising research proposals.
Tanya Simuni, MD: Professor of Neurology and Director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Poster Presentations
The conference will feature several intriguing poster presentations, including:
- Understanding Diversity in a Global Parkinson’s Disease Cohort
- The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Initiative
- Neuron-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Human Blood for Alpha-Synuclein Assessment
- Optimization of MDS-UPDRS for Use in Early-Stage Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Trials
Gain Therapeutics Presenting
Gain Therapeutics’ commitment to advancing research aligns perfectly with the conference’s goals of fostering new ideas and collaborations that can lead to meaningful therapeutic advances.
Jonas Hannestad, M.D., Ph.D, Chief Medical Officer of Gain, gave an oral presentation titled, “Brain-Penetrant Small Molecule GT-02287 is Well-Tolerated in Healthy Volunteers, Shows GCASE Target Enhancement, and Achieves Therapeutic Exposures Shown to Modulate PD Pathobiology in Pre-Clinical Models” on October 17th, 2024 at 9:40am-10:00am.
As we look forward to further advancements, it’s crucial to stay informed and engaged. The collaboration between researchers, organizations, and patients will be key in driving forward the innovations needed to combat this challenging disease.