Webinar Spotlight: Parkinson’s Disease and the Role of Genetics in Neurology Clinical Trials

Genetic Insights in Parkinson’s Disease Research

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, affects more than 10 million people worldwide. With global prevalence expected to double by 2040, the urgency for innovative Parkinson’s disease treatment solutions continues to grow. As the scientific community delves deeper into the genetic architecture of PD, neurology clinical trials are becoming increasingly vital to decode the complex mechanisms behind this condition and develop targeted therapies.

In this context, we hosted an insightful webinar recently on “Genetic Basis of Parkinson’s Disease” featuring two distinguished experts from Navitas Life Sciences—Dr. Edward Philpot, MD, Vice President of Medical & Clinical, and Dr. Srinivas Shenoy B, MD, Vice President of Medical & Scientific Affairs.

Genetic Basis of Parkinson’s Disease: A Current Research Perspective

Dr. Edward Philpot MD

Vice President - Medical & Clinical

Navitas Life Sciences

Dr. Shrinivas Shenoy B MD

Vice President - Medical & Scientific Affairs

Navitas Life Sciences

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease Genetics

This webinar explores the many genetic risk factors contributing to Parkinson’s disease and sheds light on prominent monogenic variants such as SNCA, LRRK2, GBA, PRKN, PINK1, and DJ-1. The session also covers how abnormal proteins like α-synuclein play a role in disease pathology and progression.

With over 100 genetic loci identified and ethnic variations influencing gene prevalence and penetrance, the conversation around PD genetics is growing more nuanced. Dr. Philpot and Dr. Shenoy discuss global studies examining these genetic influences, alongside the critical role of genetic testing in diagnosis, prognosis, and trial enrollment.

Why Genetics Matter in Parkinson’s Disease

Identifying genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is crucial, even though genetic forms represent a minority of cases. Research into these variants has significantly advanced our understanding of the disease’s complex etiology. By uncovering how specific gene variants contribute to both monogenic and idiopathic forms of PD, scientists have pinpointed key biological pathways involved in neurodegeneration, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and protein misfolding.

These insights have laid the foundation for precision medicine, enabling the development of targeted Parkinson’s disease treatment strategies and enhancing the design of Parkinson’s clinical trials.

Highlights of the Webinar

The webinar featured a structured agenda exploring Parkinson’s disease through a genetic lens. Beginning with an overview of PD, its clinical symptoms, and global impact, the session progressed into a detailed examination of genetic risk factors.

Attendees gained valuable insights into prominent monogenic variants such as SNCA, LRRK2, and PRKN, as well as other risk factor genes and population-specific variations. The role of genetic testing was emphasized as a tool for accurate diagnosis and clinical trial stratification—vital for delivering personalized Parkinson’s disease treatments.

Navitas Life Sciences Support for Neurology Clinical Trials

Navitas Life Sciences offers comprehensive support for neurology clinical trials, addressing the unique scientific and operational demands of CNS research. Our expertise spans Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and rare neurodegenerative disorders, with a strong emphasis on precision medicine.

Our cross-functional teams—comprising medical experts, geneticists, data scientists, and regulatory professionals—collaborate with sponsors to streamline trial execution, reduce timelines, and improve patient outcomes. Using our proprietary OneClinical Analytics platform, we provide real-time access to safety data, operational analytics, and protocol adherence metrics to drive faster, data-backed decision-making.

Enabling the PD GENEration Study

Navitas Life Sciences played a pivotal role in supporting the Parkinson’s Foundation’s PD GENErationinitiative by providing registry and Data Coordinating Center (DCC) services. Supporting over 90 sites, we ensured seamless site engagement, efficient data management, and quality control for nearly 2,000 participants.

By securely sharing curated clinical-genetic datasets with collaborators such as the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA), we contributed to global efforts advancing genetic understanding and precision research in Parkinson’s disease.

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