CENTOGENE and The Michael J. Fox Foundation Announce Research Project to Validate Genetic Risk Factors of Parkinson’s Disease Using Multiomics

Collaboration to accelerate research to determine role of GBA gene

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and ROSTOCK, Germany, and BERLIN, Jan. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Centogene N.V. (Nasdaq: CNTG), the essential life science partner for data-driven answers in rare and neurodegenerative diseases, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD), today announced a research project to accelerate research on genetic risk factors associated with PD, specifically targeting the role of variants in the GBA (glucosylceramidase beta) gene.

PD is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting over 10 million people worldwide, with many cases being linked to genetic factors. Recent research has identified the GBA gene as a significant genetic risk factor for PD, which could shed new light on potential biological pathways for the development of effective therapies.

The research project will leverage CENTOGENE’s expertise in rare genetic and neurodegenerative diseases, drawing on diverse multiomic data in the CENTOGENE Biodatabank. The biodatabank currently contains more than 800,000 patients representing over 120 highly diverse countries, including over 15,000 Parkinson’s disease datasets from the Company’s ROPAD Study, the world’s largest observational study on PD genetics. In working with MJFF, the aim of the research is to establish a deeper understanding of the relationship between specific GBA gene variants and PD.

“Understanding the different factors that actually cause Parkinson’s disease are critical to advancing treatments and ultimately finding a cure,” said Shalini Padmanabhan, Vice President, Discovery & Translational Research at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. “This project with CENTOGENE will play a pivotal role in our global efforts to better understand the genetic factors of Parkinson's, leveraging their robust multiomic datasets that they have built over the past 15 years. We are committed to working together to truly drive the most comprehensive understanding of this disease and accelerate the development of life-saving treatments for patients worldwide.”