The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is partnering with 23andMe to establish a cohort of patients to participate in research related to Parkinson's disease, according to a Genome Web report.
The cohort will enable access to patient data related to genetics and variability of the disease as well as the experience of living with it. Researchers, drugmakers, regulators, and payers can use the data.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation developed a digital platform called Fox Insight, which can be used to enroll patients with or without the disease. Researchers and scientists can use the data gathered for their studies.
Additionally, Parkinson's patients can receive free genetic testing through 23andMe. With a $4 million grant to 23andMe, the foundation will fund the genetic testing as well as provide data storage and maintenance capabilities.