British MP Highlights Role of Edmond J. Safra Foundation in Advancing Parkinson’s Research
To mark Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April, British Member of Parliament Graeme Downie initiated the first-ever parliamentary debate in the UK dedicated to the disease. His remarks emphasized the urgent need for improved care and accelerated research, highlighting the contribution of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation in advancing clinical trials and the search for new treatments.
In his address to the House of Commons, Graeme Downie outlined key priorities: earlier and faster diagnosis, clear and accessible information for newly diagnosed individuals, a “Parkinson’s passport” to ensure continuity of care across health services, access to comprehensive care teams, and sustained support for research aimed at finding a cure.
“Let me draw my speech to a close on a note of hope from the charter’s fifth demand: the quest for a cure,” Downie stated. “We stand on the brink of transformative discoveries. We have scientists and there is momentum, but what we need now is funding.”
He highlighted the Edmond J. Safra Foundation’s support of the Accelerating Clinical Trials in Parkinson’s Disease (ACT-PD) initiative, a pioneering platform trial hosted at University College London. Supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Parkinson’s UK, ACT-PD is designed to streamline testing of multiple promising therapies simultaneously through a multi-arm, multi-stage approach.
Recent advances in Parkinson’s research include improved understanding of the disease’s underlying mechanisms, earlier detection before symptoms appear, and emerging treatments that may slow its progression. The ACT-PD initiative is among the efforts aiming to translate this progress into tangible benefits for people living with Parkinson’s.
World Parkinson’s Day, observed annually in April to honor Dr. Jame Parkinson’s April 11 birthday and raise global awareness, serves as a focal point for advocacy and renewed commitment to research and care. Established in 1997 by the European Parkinson’s Disease Association in collaboration with the World Health Organization, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by those affected by the disease.
The 2025 observance provided a timely occasion to reaffirm collective efforts to support those living with Parkinson’s and to accelerate progress toward a cure.
- Read the full speech: MP Graeme Downie on Parkinson’s
- Watch the speech: UK Parliament Live
