Centogene, Denali extend observational study on Parkinson’s disease genetics

Centogene (CNTG) announced that it has extended the Rostock International Parkinson’s Disease, ROPAD, Study to recruit and genetically test additional patients over the next few years. Based on initial findings of the more than 12,500 participants already recruited and genetically tested, the study will now focus its efforts on 48 sites across 10 countries, consisting of Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S. In 2018, CENTOGENE entered a strategic collaboration with Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) for the targeted global identification of PD patients with genetic variations in the LRRK2 gene. The LRRK2 gene is one of the most common mutated genes in familial PD. Patients enrolled in ROPAD and identified with LRRK2 genetic variations may be eligible for participation in ongoing interventional clinical studies. CENTOGENE conducts clinical studies with pharma partners around the world, such as Denali Therapeutics. "Parkinson’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease – affecting over 10 million people worldwide from all walks of life. There is an urgent medical need to unveil multidimensional data," said Kim Stratton, Chief Executive Officer at CENTOGENE. "At CENTOGENE, we find it truly essential to establish a more inclusive and comprehensive approach from diagnostics to drug discovery, development, and commercialization. By extending this study alongside Denali, we are generating multi-ethnic insights into the genetic causes – accelerating potentially disease-modifying therapeutics for PD patients around the world."