Dr Esther Sammler, clinician scientist within the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and consultant neurologist at NHS Tayside, has played a central role in establishing the University of Dundee as one of the first sites worldwide to activate and recruit into a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating a potential disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s disease.

The PARAISO study is investigating a monoclonal antibody designed to target pathogenic α-synuclein protein aggregates implicated in Parkinson’s disease progression. Dundee became the second site globally and the first in the UK and Europe to be activated, with the first participant recruited within weeks an achievement described by Roche as a “huge accomplishment”.

This rapid delivery underscores the strength and readiness of Dundee’s integrated clinical–research environment and reflects the close collaboration between the University of Dundee, NHS Tayside, and national research infrastructure. The PARAISO Phase 3 trial will enrol approximately 900 participants across around 250 sites worldwide.

This milestone exemplifies the MRC PPU’s commitment to translational research, linking fundamental discoveries in Parkinson’s disease biology directly to late-stage clinical studies with the potential to deliver meaningful benefit to patients.

For further information see here.