Rune Labs and the Parkinson's Foundation have launched the first clinical program designed to correlate genetic and digital biomarkers for Parkinson's disease, marking a significant step toward personalized medicine for the neurodegenerative condition. The study, supported through the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2), combines Rune Labs' StrivePD AI-driven software with PD GENEration, the flagship genetic testing initiative from the Parkinson's Foundation.
Addressing Critical Gaps in Parkinson's Research
Despite affecting an estimated one million Americans and representing the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease continues to present significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment. The global patient population is expected to exceed 25 million by 2050, yet people with Parkinson's still need advances in diagnostics and treatments despite progress over the past two decades.
The new study aims to address these challenges by identifying biological and digital signatures of the disease that can support earlier diagnosis, more precise patient stratification for clinical trials, and the development of better-targeted treatment strategies. By mapping gene variants to real-world symptom and medication data, researchers hope to reveal wearable-based biomarker correlations in Parkinson's patients.
Innovative Technology Integration
The clinical program leverages two cutting-edge platforms to gather comprehensive patient data. Through StrivePD, participants will use an iPhone and Apple Watch to track motor symptoms passively, including tremor and dyskinesia, along with self-reported activities like mood and medications. Participants will also complete remote surveys and rating scales on their health and Parkinson's symptoms.
StrivePD closes the gap in Parkinson's care caused by infrequent specialist visits and unpredictable symptoms. The AI-driven monitoring software combines Apple Watch data with the StrivePD app to track FDA-cleared metrics like tremor and dyskinesia, plus self-reported daily routines, to deliver real-time insights and proactive treatment guidance.
Simultaneously, through PD GENEration, participants will undergo genetic testing and counseling by providing a blood sample that will be used to test for clinically validated PD-related genetic variants. The study may help participants determine eligibility for genetically based clinical studies.
Supporting Global Genetic Diversity
The GP2 program, one of three Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) initiative-funded programs implemented by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, aims to improve understanding of the genetic architecture of PD by integrating ancestrally diverse populations to address a large gap in scientists' knowledge about the disease. Led by Dr. Andrew B. Singleton and Dr. Cornelis Blauwendraat, GP2's partnership with the Parkinson's Foundation will further increase the ancestral diversity of global PD genetic data.
Since its inception in 2019, PD GENEration has enrolled over 24,000 people living with PD across North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, and Israel. The initiative's mission is to help people with Parkinson's better understand their genetic link to PD and manage their treatment and care, contribute to the scientific understanding of PD, and accelerate enrollment into clinical trials.
Moving Toward Personalized Medicine
"We believe that there is significant potential to advance Parkinson's research by combining genetic insights with real-world data derived from AI-driven platforms like StrivePD to define disease subtypes," said Brian Pepin, CEO of Rune Labs. "As trials become more precise, we can leverage data from this new study to reduce the noise, match patients to the right interventions, and generate stronger evidence to support the development of much-needed personalized treatments. If you carry a gene mutation, you shouldn't be treated like every other patient. This study could move us from 'average-patient' dosing to genome-matched therapy recommendations."
James Beck, PhD and Chief Scientific Officer of the Parkinson's Foundation, emphasized the potential impact of combining genetic and digital insights. "This new study with Rune Labs brings in powerful digital insights that can help us decode Parkinson's even further and speed up the path toward more effective treatments, and one day, a cure. Together, we can make better lives for those living with PD."
Timeline and Data Sharing
Initial genotype-response findings are expected in 2026, with anonymized results made available to researchers through the GP2 data repository to accelerate future studies. This open-access approach aims to maximize the research impact and accelerate the development of new therapeutic approaches for Parkinson's disease.
The study represents a convergence of precision medicine technologies that could transform how Parkinson's disease is understood, diagnosed, and treated, potentially offering hope for more effective, personalized interventions for the millions affected by this progressive neurodegenerative condition.
