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Grifols, MJFF Launch Chronos-PD to Identify Early Parkinson’s Biomarkers

NextEdge Admin

15 Jan 2025

2 min 38 sec

Grifols, the Spanish pharmaceutical giant, is leveraging its extensive plasma sample collection to uncover early biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease (PD) through a $21 million grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). The project, dubbed Chronos-PD, will be spearheaded by Grifols' subsidiary, Alkahest, known for its expertise in AI, multiomics, and real-world data in drug discovery.

The initiative will analyze plasma proteins from patients over a 10-year period, tracking how these proteins evolve over time. By identifying early molecular changes before symptoms appear, scientists hope to develop novel diagnostics and potential disease-modifying therapies.

"Going back in time to search for the earliest signs of PD, even before symptoms appear, has the potential to revolutionize PD management," said Jörg Schüttrumpf, M.D., Grifols’ chief scientific innovation officer. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the development of new diagnostics and therapies that could mitigate or even prevent Parkinson’s.

Grifols’ approach in Chronos-PD could extend to other diseases, thanks to its vast biobank of over 100 million plasma samples collected over the past 15 years. The ability to analyze long-term biomarker changes offers new opportunities in precision medicine.

Currently, there is no definitive test for Parkinson’s. Diagnosis relies on physical and neurological exams alongside a patient’s history and symptoms, often leading to delays. Early detection methods could significantly improve patient outcomes.

Founded in 2000 by actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with PD in 1991, MJFF has invested over $2 billion in PD research. This latest partnership with Grifols marks another step toward transforming Parkinson’s diagnosis and treatment.