Clinical trials are critical to finding better treatments – and one day, a cure – for Parkinson’s disease. Yet, fewer than 10% of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s participate in these trials. Why? They simply are not aware of the opportunities available and don’t know where to start. On the flip side, clinical trial sponsors – including pharmaceutical and medical device companies – often struggle to find the right participants. The result is a gap on both sides: people with Parkinson’s who want better options, and sponsors who cannot reach them.
“When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I had no idea a clinical trial was an option for me. I was already overwhelmed with the idea of being diagnosed with this disease, and thought I immediately needed to go on medications for my symptoms. My clinical team told me about StrivePD and how I may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Once I went through onboarding, I was immediately contacted by the team to confirm eligibility for a clinical trial. It was quick and easy – the team was super transparent. I am glad I am able to participate in a clinical trial that will help advance new treatments for myself and others like me.” Said Verial Whitten, Parkinson’s advocate and StrivePD user.
For people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, clinical trials can offer access to cutting-edge treatments and interventions before standard medication becomes the norm. But if clinicians don’t bring them up or if people with Parkinson’s don’t ask, they may miss their window.
Many individuals with Parkinson's, especially in rural or underserved areas, may not hear about these clinical trials from their care teams. Clinicians may not have the time or resources to explore options with every person. And, most people do not know where to start. Sites like clinicaltrials.gov are great, but can be overwhelming, especially for someone recently diagnosed.
This is where StrivePD comes in. At Rune Labs, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in research. StrivePD makes it simple to find and access clinical trials that are right for your stage of Parkinson’s – especially those focused on early diagnosis. We also work closely with neurologists, advanced practice providers, and healthcare providers to help educate and guide their patients through their research options. This collaborative effort ensures more people with Parkinson’s have the opportunity to learn about and participate in potentially life-changing research.
“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s almost two years ago, and I immediately wanted to know what I could do to help both myself and others with the disease. I started exercising right away as that is the one way that has been proven to slow progression. But I also wanted to help in a bigger way and that is why I started signing up for clinical trials and studies. I have been in two studies and one five-month trial, and I hope to participate in more. I also use StrivePD to monitor my symptoms and communicate them to my neurologist. Involving people with Parkinson’s in the science to cure Parkinson’s is critical; I encourage others to get involved,” said Liz Gray, a StrivePD user who received an in-app alert about a clinical trial she may be eligible for.
With StrivePD, users receive direct access to personalized clinical trial opportunities, clear eligibility criteria, and guidance every step of the way. At Rune Labs, our mission is clear – empower more patients to explore clinical trials that could benefit them. Knowledge and awareness is power. Let’s ensure that all people with Parkinson’s have the information they need to use their power.
Ready to learn more? Discover how easy participating in a clinical trial can be with StrivePD. We are actively looking for eligible participants who have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Fill out this form to see if you are eligible.
