Human plasma-derived fibrinolysin (Grifols)

None\n Written by: GrifolsNearly one million people in the U.S. and more than six million people worldwide have Parkinson\'s disease (PD), a debilitating neurological condition characterized by progressive motor and non-motor symptoms that significantly affects patients and their loved ones.PD occurs when brain cells producing dopamine – a chemical essential for coordinating movement – are damaged. While current diagnostic methods combining medical history, physical examinations and brain imaging can identify the disease, diagnosis often comes after significant neurological deterioration has occurred.This makes the search for early detection biomarkers one of the most pressing needs in Parkinson\'s research, not least because it could enable intervention before the condition worsens.In response, Grifols, a global leader in plasma science and the production of plasma-derived medicines, has embarked on a groundbreaking program in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson\'s Research (MJFF), an organization that has contributed more than $2 billion to advance the understanding and management of Parkinson\'s.Searching for key biomarkersThe research program, named Chronos-PD, aims to identify early biomarkers of Parkinson\'s disease through the analysis of longitudinal plasma samples, with the potential to transform how the condition is detected and treated. Scientifically, this initiative is based on the fact that the composition and concentration of people’s plasma shifts over time with age and illness, changes that provide valuable clues about their present and future health.These samples are part of Grifols’ extensive plasma repository, which contains more than 100 million specimens collected over nearly 15 years. Their medical value is in their link to real-world health data revealing illnesses like PD that were diagnosed years after the plasma was collected. Each sample is a mini time capsule, collectively capturing the progression of diseases long before diagnosis and even prior to the first symptoms appearing.Through Chronos-PD, Grifols is analyzing a select group of thousands of these samples spanning up to a decade to track the evolution of plasma proteins in individuals who at some point later in life developed PD. The sheer scale and longitudinal nature of the PD sample collection offer a unique opportunity to study progression patterns in PD that would be difficult to observe through other research methods. “The goal of Chronos-PD is to gain a deep molecular understanding of the evolution of the plasma proteome to help identify the early signs of disease and inform the development of diagnostics and therapies. The extensive historical sample repository we have today at Grifols sets us apart from other initiatives. What we do with these samples is combine the molecular information we can obtain from them with health-status data to go back in time and identify the early signs of diseases that developed later.”Scott Lohr , Senior Vice President,  Informatics for Chronos, Alkahest (Grifols)Advanced analysis: Combining AI and plasma scienceJust as Grifols revolutionized plasma collection through the development of plasmapheresis in the 1950s (a technique that enables donations of only plasma), and for decades has been a leading provider of trusted medicines derived from plasma proteins such as immunoglobulin and albumin, the company’s researchers are now pioneering new ways to unlock the potential of plasma science for early disease management. Their understanding of the complexities of plasma proteins and their behaviour are crucial for identifying reliable biomarkers. This expertise, combined with the company’s advanced analytical capabilities, positions Grifols to make meaningful contributions to Parkinson\'s research.Grifols’ Alkahest subsidiary will lead this initiative, applying its expertise in artificial intelligence and multiomics analysis to examine the longitudinal plasma samples. This analytical approach combines sophisticated proteomics technology with data integration.The Chronos-PD team will utilize advanced proprietary computational methods to process the complex datasets generated from the plasma analyses, which include thousands of proteins per sample. Crucially, this will allow for the study of protein changes over time with unprecedented detail and the identification of subtle changes that may indicate warning signs of disease onset.This methodology extends beyond simple protein identification. It incorporates machine learning algorithms designed to recognize patterns across multiple protein markers and time points. This enables researchers to examine not just individual biomarkers but also the complex interactions between different proteins and their changes over time. Going back in time to search for the first signs of Parkinson’s disease, even before symptoms appear, has the potential to revolutionize disease management. Our goal is to accelerate and ultimately develop new diagnostics and disease-modifying therapies that could mitigate or even prevent its manifestation. Our vision is for this platform to continue growing in terms of knowledge, collaborations, and its capacity to help society advance in the fight against some of the world’s most urgent public health challenges.Dr. Jörg Schüttrumpf , Chief Scientific Innovation Officer, GrifolsBeyond Parkinson\'s: What this means for future researchGrifols’ plasma repository, which includes samples representing thousands of disease states, provides opportunities to apply similar analytical approaches to other neurological conditions and diseases across various therapeutic areas.The pilot study is anticipated to be completed by the first half of 2025. As the research program progresses, researchers will continue to explore additional applications of their plasma repository and analytical capabilities, thus advancing understanding of various diseases and potential treatment approaches.Through these efforts, Grifols is striving to advance patient care and the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. The insights gained from this research could be the catalyst for a series of major breakthroughs.Dr. Schüttrumpf will discuss the Chronos-PD initiative at the upcoming Reuters Pharma 2025 conference in Barcelona, April 9-11. 

‘Chronos-PD’ is looking for biological signals that could indicate increased chance of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) years before symptoms appear, leading to new diagnostic tools and disease-modifying therapiesPart of broad Grifols program to find disease-revealing clues in more than 100 million proprietary plasma samples connected to real-world data on thousands of disease states in many therapeutic areasCutting-edge use of AI and proteomics technology paired with real-world evidence underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to bold scientific innovation to benefit patients BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grifols (MCE: GRF, MCE: GRF.P, and NASDAQ: GRFS), a global healthcare company and leading producer of plasma-derived medicines, today announced it has received a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to identify plasma-based biomarkers that could indicate a person’s likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) many years before clinical diagnosis. The initiative, called “Chronos-PD,” could accelerate the discovery of new diagnostic tools as well as the identification and development of novel disease-modifying therapeutics. PD affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and more than 6 million people worldwide.1 It occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Despite decades of research and treatment advancement, the understanding of the drivers of the disease remains limited. Today physicians use a combination of a person’s medical history, physical examination and brain imaging tests to diagnose PD. By the time the disorder is detected, it is often too late to slow its progression much less reverse the damage. This leaves early detection biomarkers as one of the most urgent needs for making further headway in therapeutic interventions to halt if not reverse the disease before it is too late. The $21 million award will fund a pilot study to analyze longitudinal plasma samples covering a period of up to 10 years. This will enable researchers to track how distinct plasma proteins evolve over time in people with PD, which could help establish an early-warning system for the emergence of the disease. Grifols’ repository of PD plasma samples is just a fraction of the more than 100 million samples the company has collected for nearly 15 years. Its proprietary bank is one of the world’s largest collections of biospecimens and contains plasma representing thousands of disease states connected to real-world health data. The same analyses applied to the PD samples can be replicated in other diseases and disease states across many therapeutic areas. The unique plasma assets serve as the foundation of the Chronos-PD program, driving advanced research at Grifols subsidiary Alkahest, which is leading the initiative given its specialization in the use of AI and integrative analysis of multiomics and real-world data in diagnostic and therapeutic drug discovery. “Our groundbreaking initiative leverages Grifols’ one-of-a-kind storehouse of well-preserved plasma samples, the most comprehensive technology platforms and our unique plasma proteomics expertise,” said Dr. Jörg Schüttrumpf, Grifols Chief Scientific Innovation Officer. “Going back in time to search for the earliest signs of PD, even before symptoms appear, has potential to revolutionize PD management. The hope is to accelerate and ultimately develop new diagnostics and disease-modifying therapeutics that could mitigate or even prevent the condition from manifesting itself. Our vision is that this platform continues to grow in terms of knowledge, partnerships and its ability to help society advance in fighting some of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.” “At MJFF, our mission is to accelerate breakthroughs for people living with Parkinson’s by funding diverse and innovative approaches,” said Shalini Padmanabhan, senior vice president of translational research, MJFF. “Identifying reliable biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease is essential to unlocking earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. Grifols’ research on a plasma-based biomarker to detect PD at its earliest stage — before progression begins — aims to helps us understand the biology of individuals who may be at risk and paves the way for transformative breakthroughs in care and prevention.” About Grifols Grifols is a global healthcare company founded in Barcelona in 1909 committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. A leader in essential plasma-derived medicines and transfusion medicine, the company develops, produces, and provides innovative healthcare services and solutions in more than 110 countries. Patient needs and Grifols’ ever-growing knowledge of many chronic, rare and prevalent conditions, at times life-threatening, drive the company’s innovation in both plasma and other biopharmaceuticals to enhance quality of life. Grifols is focused on treating conditions across a broad range of therapeutic areas: immunology, hepatology and intensive care, pulmonology, hematology, neurology, and infectious diseases. A pioneer in the plasma industry, Grifols continues to grow its network of donation centers, the world’s largest with over 390 across North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and China. As a recognized leader in transfusion medicine, Grifols offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions designed to enhance safety from donation to transfusion, in addition to clinical diagnostic technologies. It provides high-quality biological supplies for life-science research, clinical trials, and for manufacturing pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. The company also supplies tools, information and services that enable hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare professionals to efficiently deliver expert medical care. Grifols, with more than 23,000 employees in more than 30 countries and regions, is committed to a sustainable business model that sets the standard for continuous innovation, quality, safety, and ethical leadership. The company’s class A shares are listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange, where they are part of the Ibex-35 (MCE: GRF). Grifols non-voting class B shares are listed on the Mercado Continuo (MCE: GRF.P) and on the U.S. NASDAQ through ADRs (NASDAQ: GRFS). For more information about Grifols, please visit grifols.com ________________________ MEDIA CONTACTS: Grifols media@grifols.comTel. +34 93 571 00 02 InvestorsInvestors Relations & Sustainabilityinversores@grifols.com - investors@grifols.comsostenibilidad@grifols.com - sustainability@grifols.com Tel. +34 93 571 02 21 LEGAL DISCLAIMER The facts and figures contained in this report that do not refer to historical data are “future projections and assumptions”. Words and expressions such as “believe”, “hope”, “anticipate”, “predict”, “expect”, “intend”, “should”, “will seek to achieve”, “it is estimated”, “future” and similar expressions, in so far as they relate to the Grifols group, are used to identify future projections and assumptions. These expressions reflect the assumptions, hypotheses, expectations and predictions of the management team at the time of writing this report, and these are subject to a number of factors that mean that the actual results may be materially different. The future results of the Grifols group could be affected by events relating to its own activities, such as a shortage of supplies of raw materials for the manufacture of its products, the appearance of competitor products on the market, or changes to the regulatory framework of the markets in which it operates, among others. At the date of compiling this report, the Grifols group has adopted the necessary measures to mitigate the potential impact of these events. Grifols, S.A. does not accept any obligation to publicly report, revise or update future projections or assumptions to adapt them to events or circumstances subsequent to the date of writing this report, except where expressly required by the applicable legislation. This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to buy or subscribe shares in accordance with the provisions of the following Spanish legislation: Royal Legislative Decree 4/2015, of 23 October, approving recast text of Securities Market Law; Royal Decree Law 5/2005, of 11 March and/or Royal Decree 1310/2005, of 4 November, and any regulations developing this legislation. In addition, this document does not constitute an offer of purchase, sale or exchange, or a request for an offer of purchase, sale or exchange of securities, or a request for any vote or approval in any other jurisdiction. The information included in this document has not been verified nor reviewed by the external auditors of the Grifols group. ________________________ 1 The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research