Latest news with #ParkinsonsUK
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Couple's annual walk to raise funds for Parkinson's research
A Pembrokeshire couple has raised more than £50,000 for Parkinson's research through annual charity walks. Bob Ratcliffe and his wife, Jane, have been organising a number of walks for Parkinson's since 2011, in memory of Mr Ratcliffe's father, who lived with the condition. The walks started after Mr Ratcliffe's father died in 2010, having donated his brain and spinal column for Parkinson's research. The couple is now urging walkers across Pembrokeshire to join the 2025 Haverfordwest Walk for Parkinson's event on Saturday, June 7, to raise more funds for Parkinson's UK. Registration for the 7.8km circular walk, which costs £15 to enter, will begin at 10am at Haverfordwest Cricket Club. The walk will have planned refreshment stops and welcomes participants at any pace, including those with dogs on leads. Mr Ratcliffe said: "This is the fourth year of the Haverfordwest Walk and we are looking forward to it being the biggest and best yet. "We hope to have a fabulous surprise for walkers and passers-by in Castle Square around noon. "Please come along and get involved in the walk, even if you can't manage the full route." The event has the support of Haverfordwest Rotary, and donations of raffle prizes are always appreciated. Parkinson's is a complex brain condition that worsens over time, affecting 153,000 people in the UK, including around 8,300 in Wales. It has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and currently, there is no cure. Keri McKie, Wales community fundraiser at Parkinson's UK Cymru, said: "We are so grateful to Bob for organising this event again this year. "Parkinson's is a complex condition, and it's different for everyone. "It's important we continue to take vital steps in helping to fund vital research and make a difference to the 8,300 people living with the condition in Wales. "We hope that Bob's tireless fundraising inspires more people to support Parkinson's UK. "Whether or not you're living with Parkinson's and whatever your age or fitness level, we're sure there'll be a warm welcome for you in Haverfordwest for the walk." To sign up for the walk, visit the Eventbrite page or register on the day. For further details, contact Bob on 07887 707496 or email bobratcliffe@
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
First patients dosed in final cohort of Phase 1b clinical trial of HER-096 for Parkinson's disease
Herantis Pharma Plc – Press release First patients dosed in final cohort of Phase 1b clinical trial of HER-096 for Parkinson's disease HER-096 is a first-in-class agent in development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease with disease modifying potential and convenient subcutaneous administration Successful completion of the first patient cohort in Part 2 of the trial and approval to proceed from the Data and Safety Monitoring Board Primary objective is to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of repeated subcutaneous doses of HER-096; the trial will also evaluate selected biomarkers, discover and identify novel treatment response biomarkers and monitor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease Topline data from Phase 1b trial is expected in September 2025 Trial funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) and Parkinson's UK Espoo, Finland, 13 May 2025: Herantis Pharma Plc ("Herantis"), a company developing disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease, today announced the first patients have been dosed in the final cohort of its Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of HER-096 in patients with Parkinson's disease. Commenting on the study Antti Vuolanto, CEO of Herantis Pharma said: 'Parkinson's disease is a life altering condition, and there is an urgent need for new treatments that can halt or slow its progression. We are highly encouraged by the potential of HER-096. Its disease-modifying properties combined with its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it a compelling candidate to become a transformative therapy for Parkinson's that addresses the underlying disease, not just the symptoms. We remain focused on completing the final cohort of this Phase 1b trial and expect to report topline data in September 2025.' Parkinson's disease is a devastating neurological condition affecting around 10 million people worldwide, for which there is currently no cure. Existing treatments only address the symptoms and are often associated with significant side effects. HER-096 is a first-in-class synthetic peptidomimetic designed to mimic the activity of cerebral dopamine neurotropic factor (CDNF) protein, with the capability of effectively crossing the blood-brain barrier allowing for convenient subcutaneous administration. With a multi-modal mechanism of action, HER-096 has the potential to protect against the neuronal degeneration and cell death that cause the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. About the Phase 1b study The Phase 1b clinical study consists of two parts. In Part 1, eight healthy volunteers received a single 300 mg subcutaneous dose of HER-096 to assess its safety and pharmacokinetic properties. Encouraging pharmacokinetic data from this phase were announced on 28 January 2025 here Part 2 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled part of the trial in patients with Parkinson's disease, divided into two cohorts. In the first cohort, 12 patients were dosed twice weekly over a four-week period. Of these eight patients received 200 mg of HER-096 and four received placebo. Based on a review of the data, the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recommended proceeding to the final cohort. In the final cohort, patients will receive 300 mg doses of HER-096 or placebo twice weekly over a four-week period. The primary objective of the Phase 1b trial is to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of repeated subcutaneous doses of HER-096. Part 2 will also evaluate selected biomarkers and aims to identify novel treatment-response biomarkers in patients with Parkinson's disease. Symptom progression will be monitored using both Movement Disorder Society - Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and with a wearable recording device. Topline results are expected in September 2025. This trial is funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) and Parkinson's UK. It is being conducted in Turku and Helsinki, Finland by the contract research organization Clinical Research Services Turku – CRST Oy. The Phase 1b trial builds on positive results from the Phase 1a trial, which demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile, along with effective blood-brain barrier penetration of subcutaneously administered HER-096 in healthy volunteers. More information about the trial can be found on the website: The trial is registered at here: About HER-096 HER-096 is an engineered peptidomimetic molecule designed to mimic the activity of CDNF, a protein that promotes cell survival and functional recovery of neurons. HER-096 modulates the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) pathway, which plays a critical role in restoring the cell protein balance (proteostasis) and preventing the processes leading to cytotoxic protein aggregation and neuronal cell death in the brain. In addition, HER-096 reduces inflammation in the affected brain area and can effectively pass the blood-brain barrier enabling convenient subcutaneous administration. With its multimodal mechanism of action, HER-096 has the potential to stop the progression of Parkinson's disease and significantly improve patients' quality of life. For more information, please contact: Tone Kvåle, CFOTel: +47 915 19576Email: ir@ ICR Healthcare Mary-Jane Elliott, Sarah Elton-Farr, Stephanie CuthbertTel: +44 20 3709 5700Email: herantispharma@ Certified Advisor: UB Corporate Finance LtdTel.: +358 9 25 380 225E-mail: ubcf@ About Herantis Pharma Plc Herantis Pharma Plc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing disease modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease. Herantis' lead product HER-096, is an advanced small synthetic chemical peptidomimetic molecule developed based on the active site of the CDNF protein. It combines the compelling mechanism of action of CDNF with the convenience of subcutaneous administration. The primary aim of the ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial is to show that repeated subcutaneous doses of HER-096 are safe and well-tolerated in patients with Parkinson's disease. The Phase 1a clinical trial demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile, and efficient blood-brain barrier penetration of subcutaneously administered HER-096 in healthy volunteers. Herantis is listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. Company website: Forward-looking statements This release includes forward-looking statements which are not historical facts but statements regarding future expectations instead. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, those regarding Herantis' future financial position and results of operations, the Company's strategy, objectives, future developments in the markets in which the Company participates or is seeking to participate or anticipated regulatory changes in the markets in which the Company operates or intends to operate. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as 'aim,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' 'guidance,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'projected,' 'should' or 'will' or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on numerous assumptions. The Company's actual results of operations, including the Company's financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which the Company operates, may differ materially from (and be more negative than) those made in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements contained in this company release. Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to risks associated with implementation of Herantis' strategy, risks and uncertainties associated with the development and/or approval of Herantis' drug candidates, ongoing and future clinical trials and expected trial results, the ability to commercialize drug candidates, technology changes and new products in Herantis' potential market and industry, Herantis' freedom to operate in respect of the products it develops (which freedom may be limited, e.g., by competitors' patents), the ability to develop new products and enhance existing products, the impact of competition, changes in general economy and industry conditions, and legislative, regulatory and political factors. In addition, even if Herantis' historical results of operations, including the Company's financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which the Company operates, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this company release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
The Cirencester sports pilot helping players with Parkinson's
A man with Parkinson's who is enjoying sports from pickleball to table tennis says more people with the disorder should join Webber is taking part in all sorts of activities as part of a pilot project at Cirencester Leisure Centre, funded by Cotswold District said sports made "life itself more bearable" and that he had learned tips on how to manage his symptoms from fellow Young, chairman of the Cirencester and Stroud branch of Parkinson's UK, which is delivering the project, said symptoms appear to be "less of an issue" for those playing sports, as they are "concentrating on what they're doing" instead. Parkinson's affects the brain, nervous system, and muscle control. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with around 153,000 people in the UK living with the – which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong – is on offer as part of the pilot, as is Nordic walking and Young said: "We might change the rules slightly to help them but getting active is the most important thing. "As soon as someone with Parkinson's gets involved in exercise, it appears that their Parkinson's symptoms [are] less of an issue for them because they're concentrating on what they're doing."It means a lot to me that I can help people in my branch." Mr Webber has been taking part in the sports on offer for a couple of said meeting others who live with Parkinson's allows him to learn their "tricks" on how to manage his symptoms, even if the disorder affects them differently."It seems that with sport, and particularly when it's a reflex action, you haven't got the time to think and it seems to come easily," Mr Webber said."Anybody, anywhere, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's: Please join the local group, get to know the fellow fighters."
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
How close you live to a golf course impacts your chances of getting Parkinson's, study shows
Those who live within one mile of a golf course double their risk of developing Parkinson's disease, new research has suggested. Chemicals used to maintain fairways and greens in perfect shape may be causing the disease by leaking into water sources or escaping into the atmosphere, according to US researchers. The scientists from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona examined health data from people living near 139 golf courses in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. They found that people who lived within a mile of a golf course had a 126 per cent higher chance of getting Parkinson's disease than people who lived more than six miles away. The study also discovered that the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease decreased by 13 per cent for every mile away from the greens, indicating a linear association between the two. Parkinson's disease is the world's second most common neurodegenerative disorder, behind Alzheimer's disease. It is a degenerative neurological condition, which means that over time the brain of an individual living with the disease becomes more damaged, according to the NHS. Around 145,000 people in the UK are affected by Parkinson's disease, according to charity Parkinson's UK. Writing in the journal Jama Network Open, Dr Brittany Krzyzanowski said: 'These findings suggest that pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence of Parkinson's disease for nearby residents. 'Public health policies to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and airborne exposure from pesticides on golf courses may help reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease in nearby neighbourhoods.' The research also found that people who get their drinking water from water service areas with a golf course had nearly double the odds of Parkinson's compared to those getting drinking water from water service areas without a golf course. Pesticides such as paraquat and rotenone have been shown to induce Parkinson-like neurodegeneration, the study said. In the UK and the EU, the use of pesticides is strictly controlled, and paraquat is banned due to concerns about their wider health and environmental impacts, Dr Katherine Fletcher, Research Lead at Parkinson's UK, said. The risk for most people in the UK is therefore 'extremely low', she said. The US researchers suggested public health policies aimed at reducing the risk of groundwater contamination and airborne exposure from pesticides on golf courses may help reduce the risk of the disease in nearby neighbourhoods. According to the NHS, symptoms of Parkinson's usually develop after the age of 50. However, for one in 20 people affected by the disease, symptoms may appear when they're under the age of 40. Dr Fletcher added: "Parkinson's is complex. The causes of the condition are unclear and are likely to involve both genetic and environmental factors. Many studies have investigated whether pesticides increase the risk of developing Parkinson's in different populations around the world. 'The results have been varied, but overall suggest that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of the condition. However, the evidence is not strong enough to show that pesticide exposure directly causes Parkinson's. 'This study supports the association between pesticides and Parkinson's. However, it's quite reductive and doesn't take into account how someone might have been exposed to pesticides at their workplace or whether they have a genetic link to the condition.'
