On October 28-29, the 3rd Annual Meeting of the European Platform for Neurodegenerative Diseases (EPND) convened in Madrid, gathering over 70 representatives from 29 private and public partners. Led by Pieter Jelle Visser (University of Maastricht), Niranjan Bose (Gates Ventures), Tony Brookes (University of Leicester), and Phil Scordis (UCB), the meeting reviewed significant milestones and outlined strategies for the platform's next phase. Dianne Gove (Director for Public Involvement and Ethics) and Angela Bradshaw (Director for Research) represented Alzheimer Europe at the meeting. Highlights from EPND’s third year included the expanded EPND Catalogue, which now encompasses 85 neurodegeneration research studies. This resource offers comprehensive metadata on clinical variables, biosamples, and datasets, empowering researchers to accelerate biomarker discovery. Updates on biomarker analyses revealed novel insights into mixed pathologies underlying Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related diseases.
Platform development updates from Gates Ventures introduced planned enhancements to the EPND Hub, including advanced biobank discovery tools and catalogue syndication, set to launch in December. These functionalities aim to streamline access to biosample and dataset information. Discussions emphasised biosample quality standards, with cohorts like gMAD-COSCODE achieving ISO certification for biobanking processes, ensuring data reliability. Looking ahead, sustainability and cross-sector collaboration remain priorities. Strategic planning efforts, led by Gates Ventures and Synapse, aim to secure EPND’s long-term role in advancing neurodegeneration research. Learn more about EPND: https://epnd.org/
