Traditionally new drug therapies take upwards of 10 years to be tested and approved but the COVID pandemic has proven this does not need to be the reality. Research companies with high value ideas will spend vast amounts of time and money raising capital for clinical trials and negotiating support which adds years to their research and any potential outcomes. In July 2021 Shake It Up developed the idea for a new programme to fast-track research to accelerate the discovery of new drug therapies to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s Disease.

This resulted with the formation of the Catalyst Programme velocity (CPv) which operates under the Shake It Up Australia Foundation.

Several years ago key scientists from Cure Parkinson’s UK created the Linked Clinical Trials (LCT) study group, which screens and ranks new and promising drug candidates for the treatment of Parkinson’s. Shake It Up has been a participant in this process for several years. CPv is focused on five new drug therapies drawn from the LCT process which have been previously identified as having high potential to make a difference to patients with the disease.

Whilst CPv is an Australian initiative we are working closely with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Cure Parkinsons UK and the Parkinson’s Foundation UK to ensure international collaboration in the programme.

Success will be measured by the fast tracking of important new therapies that slow, stop, cure or prevent Parkinson’s through phase 1-2-3 trials & these would also become available for patients worldwide. Shake It Up aims to raise $20 million to progress the CPv initiative and has already received significant support from private individuals, trusts and foundations.

If you are interested in supporting this initiative please contact Vicki Miller for further information. vicki@shakeitup.org.au or all 1300 361 803.