Overview
Parkinson's Europe receives many invitations every year to partner in European and EU-funded projects (run by academia and other stakeholders) that seek to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their families. Due to our limited resources, however, it is rarely possible for us to become a full partner in these sorts of projects; on average, we only accept such invitations once every three years.
We do, however, wish to show our willingness in supporting these sorts of projects, and we do this by providing a written letter of support for the proposed projects that we believe would provide great benefit to the Parkinson’s community as a whole.
Due to our limited resources, Parkinson's Europe is no longer in a position to consider any applications unless the following process is followed. Thank you for your understanding.
Should anyone wish to contact Parkinson's Europe about participating in a proposed EU-funded project application (this includes seeking a letter of support that could accompany such a proposal), please email info@parkinsonseurope.org as soon as possible or no later than four weeks prior to the project application deadline, together with an abstract of the actual project. This timeline is very important because of the many applications we receive – it will also enable Parkinson's Europe to review internally and to make a considered opinion about whether the project fits within our strategy.
Please note: Parkinson's Europe will not partner in any EU-funded project or offer letters of support for any projects that are not specifically focused on Parkinson’s disease.
TreatER
Parkinson's Europe partnered in the TreatER project, which brought together public and private sector partners from five European countries for the development of a better treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
The main focus of the TreatER project was to conduct a first-in-human clinical study with intracerebrally administered CDNF protein in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) using a neuro surgically implanted Drug Delivery System (DDS).
The TreatER project had two independent goals, each of which individually have a significant impact in addressing unmet clinical needs in chronic diseases, and in advancing innovative European technologies:
- Proof-of-concept of CDNF protein therapy for disease modification in PD. The patented European innovation CDNF has further potential in other chronic and debilitating indications.
- Clinical validation of the DDS, an already clinically tested approach for accurately targeted intracerebral drug infusions in PD. The patented European innovation DDS also has significant potential in other indications needing intracerebral infusions.
The clinical study built on extensive preclinical research and related data on CDNF, including completed acute and chronic toxicology studies in non-human primates supporting an excellent safety profile. Further, the clinical study built on existing clinical experience in DDS and related neurosurgery.
The TreatER project was executed during 2017-2020. The project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 732386.
On 18 November 2020, a webcast seminar titled World’s first clinical trial with CDNF: Aiming for a breakthrough in CDNF was organised by the TreatER project consortium – view the webinar recording here.
The project consortium had 11 members, including leading academic universities and Parkinson's Europe. The partners worked together towards the above goals in order to improve the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s. For more information, see the TreatER website.
EUROPAR
Parkinson's Europe works with EUROPAR, a multidisciplinary group that was formed to perform ‘real life’ non-motor based clinical studies across a wide range of people with Parkinson’s throughout Europe.
Led by Professor K Ray Chaudhuri, EUROPAR focuses on translational ‘bench to bedside’ research (for example, looking at what impact ‘real life’ treatments such as skin patches, injections and infusions may have on the non-motor aspects of Parkinson’s) and the development of better patient and public involvement in the treatment of Parkinson’s. For more information, see the EUROPAR website.
