EPND is a platform which is designed to help the neurodegeneration research community share data and samples and work together across disciplines. Our case studies play a central role in the development of the EPND platform: as well as driving biomarker discovery and validation, they let us test and improve each part of the platform as we go, with the resulting learnings and data fed back in for wider research and innovation. 

Over the last four years, we have launched a series of biomarker case studies, addressing different facets of neurodegenerative disease biology, utilising a wide range of samples and analytical approaches across disease areas. In this interview, we speak with Pavi Krishnaswami, an EPND partner at Sanofi, where she has played an instrumental role in a study that is establishing proteomics signatures across Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Read on to learn more!

Hi Pavi! What is your biomarker case study about?

Our case study, which forms part of EPND’s Case Study 5, focuses on biomarker discovery and validation across neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). By leveraging high-throughput multi-platform biofluid proteomics across diverse European clinical cohorts, our study aims to unravel complex disease biology, map overlapping neurodegenerative pathways, and identify distinct molecular signatures to advance disease subtyping and clinical translation.

What can proteomics tell us about the causes of neurodegenerative diseases, and how can this help advance the development of diagnostics and treatments?

Proteomics captures the dynamic, functional state of human biology by mapping thousands of biofluid proteins at the same time. In neurodegeneration, high-plex proteomic profiling reveals early dysregulated pathways - such as neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and protein aggregation - well before clinical symptoms appear. These multi-dimensional proteomic signatures enable the discovery of highly sensitive diagnostic biomarkers, improve patient stratification for clinical trials, and accelerate the development of targeted, disease-modifying therapies.

What was your role in the case study?

Working as part of Sanofi’s Translational Medicine unit, I personally executed all the high-plex biofluid proteomic profiling for the Case Study. I performed the end-to-end laboratory processing, high-density assay execution (utilising Olink Explore HT and NULISA platforms), comprehensive quality control, and full data assembly for the entire cohort of ~1,200 human cerebrospinal fluid samples. I am currently analysing the resulting dataset to extract actionable biological insights. By delivering these standardized, ultra-sensitive proteomic datasets across AD, PD, and DLB cohorts, our work provides a robust foundation for cross-disease biomarker validation and subtyping.

Can you tell us a bit about your scientific background and why you are passionate about neurodegeneration research?

I am a Senior Scientist and Subject Matter Expert in exploratory biofluid biomarkers and high-plex proteomics at Sanofi. My career has centered on establishing advanced platform infrastructure and applying innovative proteomic technologies to solve complex human disease biology.

I am deeply passionate about neurodegeneration research because millions of patients worldwide face devastating neurodegenerative conditions with limited treatment options. Leveraging high-throughput technologies to uncover actionable biomarkers that directly translate into life-changing therapies is what drives my work every day.

What is your favourite thing about EPND and why are platforms such as EPND important for research and innovation?

My favorite aspect of EPND is its spirit of open, cross-sector collaboration - bringing together academic cohorts, biopharma expertise, and cutting-edge technologies to tackle shared scientific challenges. Platforms like EPND are vital because neurodegeneration is too complex for any single institution to solve alone. By dismantling institutional barriers to data sharing, standardising biosample processing, and building interoperable global resources, EPND dramatically accelerates the path from biomarker discovery to transformative clinical solutions for patients.

Many thanks to Pavi and collaborators for all their work in EPND!