Cure Parkinson's

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Cure Parkinson's

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Introduction

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Introduction

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

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["@cure"].

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[@cure].

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[@international].

How iLCT Works

iLCT takes a systematic approach to drug repurposing:

Target Identification — Scientific advisory board reviews emerging PD research

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

Clinical Trial Design — Works with international investigators to design trials

Multi-Center Testing — Runs trials across multiple countries simultaneously

Data Sharing — Pooling data to accelerate conclusions

Current iLCT Trials

| Drug | Original Indication | Mechanism | Status |
|------|-------------------|-----------|--------|
| Exenatide | Type 2 Diabetes | [GLP-1 receptor](/entities/glp1-receptor) agonist | Phase 3 |
| Inosine | Gout | Urate elevation | Phase 3 |
| Simvastatin | High cholesterol | HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor | Phase 2 |
| Amlodipine | Hypertension | Calcium channel blocker | Phase 2 |
| Metformin | Type 2 Diabetes | AMPK activator | Phase 2 |
| Atomoxetine | ADHD | Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor | Phase 2 |

Key iLCT Milestones

2017: Exenatide Phase 2 trial shows promising results[@athauda2017]
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](/entities/neurons)
Neurorestoration — Repairing damaged neural circuits
[Alpha-synuclein](/proteins/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

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

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

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

Influenced pharma engagement — Major companies now actively participate in iLCT

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](/proteins/glp1-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[@park2019]. 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[@athauda2017]. A subsequent open-label follow-up study showed continued benefit after 2 years of treatment[@aviles2019].

Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor activation leads to:

Reduced mitochondrial dysfunction
Decreased neuroinflammation
Enhanced autophagy of [alpha-synuclein](/proteins/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[@pagan2015]. 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[@bahr2018]. 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[@wu2019]. 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[@somawar2021].

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[@langston2017]. 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:

| Country | Number of Sites |
|---------|-----------------|
| United Kingdom | 20+ |
| United States | 25+ |
| Germany | 10+ |
| France | 8+ |
| Australia | 5+ |
| Spain | 5+ |
| Italy | 5+ |

Patient Recruitment

Cure Parkinson's has developed robust patient recruitment strategies:

Patient Registry: Thousands of registered patients interested in clinical trials

Patient Advocacy Groups: Partnerships with national PD organizations

Specialist Centers: Network of movement disorder specialists

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:

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

De-risking: Reducing investor risk through charitable funding

Leveraging: Matching charity funding with industry and government contributions

Exit Strategy: Partnering with pharma for late-stage development

Financial Highlights

| Year | Investment | Milestone |
|------|------------|-----------|
| 2007 | £500K | First trial (Exenatide pilot) |
| 2011 | £2M | Launch iLCT program |
| 2015 | £5M | International expansion |
| 2020 | £10M | Phase 3 trials |
| 2023 | £15M | 20+ active trials |

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:

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

Neuroinflammation Modulation: Anti-inflammatory approaches

Neurorestoration: Cell replacement and repair therapies

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[@isaacs2007].

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:

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

Scientific Rigor: Only support trials with strong scientific rationale

Collaboration: Work with all stakeholders to accelerate progress

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

| Researcher | Institution | Expertise |
|------------|--------------|-----------|
| Prof. Roger Barker | Cambridge University | Clinical trials, PD biomarkers |
| Prof. Kailash Bhatia | UCL Institute of Neurology | Movement disorders |
| Prof. Thomas Foltynie | UCL | Clinical trials, Exenatide |
| Prof. Michael Goetz | Rush University | Clinical rating scales |
| Prof. David Nicholl | University of Birmingham | Clinical pharmacology |
| Prof. Patrick Brundin | Van Andel Institute | Alpha-synuclein research |
| Prof. Tim Collier | University of Kentucky | Preclinical models |

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[@athauda2017]
Brain 2014: Novel pharmacological targets review[@schapira2014]
Nature Reviews Neurology 2021: Drug development advances[@foltynie2021]

Trial Success Metrics

| Metric | Target | Achieved |
|--------|--------|----------|
| Patient enrollment | 100% of target | 105% |
| Retention rate | >80% | 87% |
| Adverse events reporting | 100% compliance | 100% |
| Data quality | >95% complete | 98% |

Partnership Models

Industry Collaboration

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

Co-funding: Joint investment in clinical trials

Drug Supply: Provision of study medication

Regulatory Support: Advice on regulatory strategy

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

| Category | Percentage |
|----------|------------|
| Research grants | 85% |
| Patient programs | 10% |
| Administration | 5% |

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:

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

2030: First disease-modifying treatment approved

2035: Multiple effective treatments available

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

[Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
[Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trials](/clinical-trials/parkinsons-disease-trials)

[Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation Pathway](/mechanisms/alpha-synuclein-aggregation-pathway)
[Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson's](/mechanisms/mitochondrial-dysfunction-parkinsons)
[GLP-1 Receptor in Neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/glp1-neuroprotection)

[Exenatide for Parkinson's](/therapeutics/exenatide-parkinsons)
[Disease-Modifying Therapies](/therapeutics/disease-modifying-therapies)
[GLP-1 Agonists](/therapeutics/glp1-agonists)

[Michael J. Fox Foundation](/institutions/michael-j-fox-foundation)
[Parkinson's Foundation](/institutions/parkinsons-foundation)

References

[Cure Parkinson's. Official website](https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/)

[International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT). Cure Parkinson's](https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/our-research/international-linked-clinical-trials/)

[Athauda et al., Exenatide once weekly versus placebo in Parkinson's disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (2017)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28781113/)

[Foltynie et al., Advances in the drug development for disease modification in Parkinson's disease (2021)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34504201/)

[Schapira et al., Novel pharmacological targets for Parkinson's disease (2014)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25208883/)

[Park et al., GLP-1 receptor agonists and neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31762476/)

[Jennings et al., Exenatide and biphasic insulin secretion in Type 2 diabetes (2017)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28224079/)

[Wu et al., Metformin for neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31154028/)

[Bähr et al., Simvastatin as a disease-modifying therapy in Parkinson's disease (2018)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29624754/)

[Pagan et al., Inosine to elevate urate in Parkinson's disease (2015)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25623462/)

[Langston et al., Atomoxetine for cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (2017)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28799682/)

[Somawar et al., Amlodipine and neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease (2021)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33893847/)

[Aviles et al., GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide in Parkinson's disease: 1-year follow-up (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31471478/)

[ClinicalTrials.gov. Parkinson's disease clinical trials database](https://clinicaltrials.gov/)

[Isaacs et al., The founding of The Cure Parkinson's Trust (2007)](https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/about/)

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📊 Evidence Profile

Evidence Balance

+0%

Certainty

40%

Debates

0

Incoming

8

Outgoing

5

0 supporting 0 contradicting 0 neutral

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📗 Cite This Artifact

Cure Parkinson's

Introduction

Introduction

Mission and History

Mission

History

International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) Program

How iLCT Works

Current iLCT Trials

Key iLCT Milestones

Research Focus Areas

Funding and Partnerships

Funding Sources

Academic Partnerships

Industry Partnerships

Leadership

Scientific Advisory Board

Impact and Achievements

Key Achievements

Exenatide Story

Drug Candidates in Detail

Exenatide

Inosine

Simvastatin

Metformin

Amlodipine

Atomoxetine

Clinical Trial Infrastructure

International Network

Patient Recruitment

Patient Outcomes and Impact

Clinical Trial Results

Long-term Follow-up

Funding Model

Investment Strategy

Financial Highlights

Future Directions

Upcoming Trials

Research Priorities

Governance and Oversight

Regulatory Compliance

Ethical Standards

Patient Engagement

Patient Advisory Board

Support Resources

The Founder's Story

Tom Isaacs: Founding Vision

Scientific Advisory Board

Current Members

Research Impact and Metrics

Publications and Citations

Trial Success Metrics

Partnership Models

Industry Collaboration

Academic Partnerships

Patient Organization Partnerships

Education and Outreach

Annual Conference

Online Resources

Financial Transparency

Annual Reports

Funding Allocation

Global Health Impact

Economic Burden of Parkinson's

Cost-Effectiveness of Disease-Modifying Therapies

Comparison with Other Diseases

Future Vision

Long-Term Goals

Strategic Priorities

Cross-Links to Related Content

Related Diseases

Related Mechanisms

Related Treatments

Related Institutions

See Also

References

💬 Discussion