The third EPND Annual Meeting took place on 28 and 29 October in Madrid, Spain. Over 70 colleagues from our 29 public and private partners joined us in the Spanish capital, sharing updates on the latest project developments, and discussing how to move forwards in our mission to create new pathways for collaborative neurodegeneration research.

The meeting opened with a presentation from Pieter Jelle Visser from the University of Maastricht, one of EPND’s co-leads alongside Niranjan Bose (Gates Ventures), Tony Brookes (University of Leicester), and Phil Scordis (UCB). Setting the scene for the next two days of discussions, Pieter Jelle highlighted several milestones from EPND’s third year, including the successful launch of the expanded EPND Catalogue and progress in biomarker analyses that have unveiled new insights into mixed pathologies associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Building on these accomplishments, Bose presented the strategic roadmap for years four and five, emphasising the importance of addressing key challenges such as interoperability, sample quality, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. The vision for the next phase is clear: to expand the platform’s capabilities, contents and community, driving continued innovation in neurodegeneration research.

Expanding the EPND Catalogue: a central resource for neurodegeneration research

A major highlight of year 3 is the expansion of the EPND Catalogue, a resource that now encompasses 85 neurodegeneration research studies across Europe and beyond. The catalogue provides comprehensive metadata on clinical variables, biosamples, participants, and datasets, making it an invaluable tool for researchers aiming to accelerate biomarker discovery and validation.

At the meeting, platform development leads from Gates Ventures presented updates on the EPND Technical Hub, with significantly enhanced functionalities planned for launch in December. Features including advanced biobank discovery tools and catalogue syndication will facilitate seamless access to biosample and dataset information, making it easier for researchers to navigate common challenges that hamper collaborative neurodegenerative disease research.

Focusing on quality and sustainability

Discussions at the meeting also emphasised the importance of quality standards for biosamples. With support from partners BBMRI-ERIC, groups such as the Geneva-based gMAD-COSCODE cohort have achieved ISO certification for their biobanking processes. Such advancements not only ensure data reliability but also open doors for smaller cohorts to contribute to the research ecosystem. Sustainability was another key focus, with EPND partners collaborating to define a long-term business plan and value proposition. Led by Gates Ventures and Synapse, this work aims to ensure that EPND remains a cornerstone of neurodegeneration research well into the future.

Biomarker Research: insights from EPND Case Studies

The Annual Meeting also showcased the progress of EPND’s case studies, which are testing platform functionalities while simultaneously advancing biomarker research. Researchers from the Universities of Geneva and Maastricht presented new findings revealing mixed pathologies underlying Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies. These insights contribute to a growing understanding of the complex mechanisms driving neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the potential for developing more precise tools for patient stratification and diagnosis.

Driving collaboration and looking ahead

In addition to presentations and updates, the meeting fostered lively discussions, brainstorming sessions, and exchanges among partners. As EPND moves into its fourth year, the commitment to breaking down barriers to data and sample sharing, and fostering collaboration, remains stronger than ever. The Annual Meeting reaffirmed our shared vision of accelerating diagnostics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

We would like to thank all partner organisations and colleagues for their contributions to EPND in year 3, and for their active participation during our Annual meeting! We’re looking forward to another successful year for EPND, with even more progress towards our mission: to accelerate the discovery of diagnostics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, by remove barriers to data and sample sharing, and fostering collaboration.