TUCSON, Ariz., March 25, 2024 — Critical Path Institute (C-Path) today announced the formation of a new task force under its Rare Disease Cures Accelerator-Data and Analytics Platform (RDCA-DAP®), dedicated to advancing therapeutic development for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). This initiative brings together leading organizations and experts in a concerted effort to tackle the challenges associated with PSP drug development. PSP is a brain disorder that affects movement, control of walking and balance, speech, swallowing, vision, mood, behavior and thought.
The confirmed members of the task force include the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, CurePSP, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), Novartis, and Dr. Adam Boxer, a distinguished neurologist at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center.
This task force aims to leverage the collective expertise of its members to foster innovation and expedite the development of new treatments for PSP. By integrating patient-level data from diverse sources through RDCA-DAP, the task force will work to identify and address the critical gaps in PSP research and development. The collaboration provides a neutral platform for stakeholders from industry, regulatory agencies, academia, and the PSP community to engage in meaningful dialogue and share data, enhancing the efficiency of therapeutic advancements for PSP.
“Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is a devastating condition with significant unmet medical needs,” said Alexandre Betourne, Pharm. D., Ph.D., RDCA-DAP Executive Director and lead for this effort. “By convening this task force, we are harnessing the collective strengths and knowledge of our members to drive forward the development of effective treatments for those affected by PSP.”
The task force’s approach is rooted in C-Path’s proven track record of fostering collaboration and accelerating drug development processes. Its focus will include establishing data management standards, identifying biomarkers, and utilizing modeling and analytics to inform regulatory science and clinical outcome assessments. This strategic effort is designed to de-risk the decision-making process in drug development and enhance the regulatory review of novel therapeutics for PSP.
“As the leading nonprofit organization serving those living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, we’re thrilled to be part of this enabling initiative,” said Kristophe Diaz, Ph.D., Executive Director, and Chief Science Officer at CurePSP. “Data sharing, data access, and public-private partnerships are needed to make a difference. We’re committed to supporting this endeavor and to representing the patient voice in partnership with C-Path.”
For further information and to inquire about joining the RDCA-DAP Task Force on Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, interested parties are encouraged to contact rdca-dapadmin@c-path.org.
About Critical Path Institute
Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is an independent, nonprofit established in 2005 as a public-private partnership, in response to the FDA’s Critical Path Initiative. C-Path’s mission is to lead collaborations that advance better treatments for people worldwide. Globally recognized as a pioneer in accelerating drug development, C-Path has established numerous international consortia, programs and initiatives that currently include more than 1,600 scientists and representatives from government and regulatory agencies, academia, patient organizations, disease foundations and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. With dedicated team members located throughout the world, C-Path’s global headquarters is in Tucson, Arizona and C-Path’s Europe subsidiary is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. For more information, visit c-path.org.
Critical Path Institute is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is 54% funded by the FDA/HHS, totaling $19,436,549, and 46% funded by non-government source(s), totaling $16,373,368. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, FDA/HHS or the U.S. Government.
About RDCA-DAP
The Rare Disease Cures Accelerator-Data and Analytics Platform (RDCA-DAP ®), a joint initiative by C-Path and NORD with support from FDA, offers a unique platform promoting cooperation among various stakeholders, including academic institutions, industry leaders, healthcare organizations, and patient advocacy groups. It accelerates the development of treatments for rare diseases through data sharing, analysis, and collaboration. For more information, visit c-path.org/rdca-dap.
Contact:
Roxan Triolo Olivas
C-Path
520.954.1634
rolivas@c-path.org