50 Years Forward: Roche’s Relentless Pursuit of Parkinson’s

Parkinson's disease was first identified in 1817, and today it stands as one of the fastest-growing neurological conditions worldwide.1 But beyond the numbers, the disease takes a profound toll on the lives of those impacted. Once effortless tasks like making a cup of coffee, writing a message, or getting dressed become progressively more difficult. For the 12 million people living with the condition, and the families who support them, Parkinson’s reshapes not just movement, but the rhythm of everyday living.2

For us at Roche, Parkinson’s is personal. It has grounded our work for more than 50 years, shaping our commitment to advancing scientific understanding and delivering meaningful progress for people living with the disease. That commitment is ultimately driven by the lives and stories behind the science, including those within our own community.

While current treatments can be highly effective at alleviating motor symptoms, many people living with Parkinson’s continue to face a wide range of challenges like depression, sleep disturbances, pain, anxiety and thinking problems that remain difficult to manage.3

Scientific understanding is accelerating, and our commitment goes beyond tracking the impact of Parkinson’s. We aim to help people preserve their independence for longer — slowing the progression of the disease, so that they can continue to do what matters most. It’s not just about protecting everyday moments, but about making those moments last.

For more than 50 years, Roche has been driven by a commitment to advance the science and learn from every outcome. Our ambition is no longer just to manage Parkinson's disease, but to change its course — with the goal of delaying, halting and ultimately preventing disability progression and helping people maintain their independence for longer.

We now have a deeper understanding of Parkinson’s disease biology, supported by tools that allow us to measure and track it in ways that were not previously possible. This includes efforts to advance biomarkers and diagnostic tools that may enable earlier identification and diagnosis, which may be critical for disease-modifying therapies to be successful.

While current treatments can help manage motor symptoms, research is increasingly focused on disease-modifying approaches that aim to slow underlying neurodegenerative processes and delay disease progression.

Today, we are evaluating multiple scientific approaches to slow or stop disease progression and potentially prevent PD, by targeting underlying disease processes such as the accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein production, lysosomal dysfunction and neuroinflammation. This includes an investigational monoclonal antibody designed to target alpha-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark pathology understood to drive disease progression.4

Progress in Parkinson’s disease will not happen in isolation — it will be shaped through collaboration across science, clinical research, and the Parkinson’s community.

This collaborative approach also extends to people living with Parkinson’s and their communities.

At Roche, we are proud to work alongside the Parkinson’s community and research institutions including the Michael J Fox Foundation, to advance tools, trial approaches, and shared definitions of disease progression. 

Because ultimately, individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s deserve more than symptom management. They deserve earlier diagnosis combined with treatment options that have the potential to stop and prevent disease progression. They deserve to preserve their independence, protect the moments that matter most — and to make those moments last longer.