A cure for Parkinson’s, faster, through the world’s best preclinical neuroscience.

For more than 20 years, Atuka has been providing preclinical services that expand the frontiers of Parkinson’s disease research, and helping to make new, life-changing therapeutics a reality.

We help our partners make informed, critical decisions at the interface between the preclinical and clinical, combining our unsurpassed neuroscience and Parkinson’s expertise with an industry-leading range of rodent and NHP models, and experience in gene therapy, to design the best-tailored program for any potential therapeutic.

Atuka provides its partners with the highest-quality studies and data, as interpreted by world-leading neuroscientists, to ensure results that are consistently predictive and translatable.

Atuka at a glance

Making a difference for patients, our partners, and the broader research community

Atuka’s lead scientists are responsible for numerous breakthroughs that have helped shape the direction of research in the field over the past three decades. Collectively they have published more than 300 peer-reviewed, highly-cited papers, and individually possess h-indices ranging from 25 to 70.

300+

therapeutics evaluated

30+

candidates proceeding to clinical trial

300+

peer-reviewed academic papers

40+

pre-clinical models

WHITE PAPER

Optimizing Preclinical Studies for Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics

Strategies to optimize preclinical study design for therapeutic development and reduce translational risk.

Atuka’s strategic approach to animal model selection

News and insights

SERVICES & CAPABILITIES

Expanding the frontiers of research into neurodegenerative disorders

While our roots are in Parkinson’s research, Atuka has developed extensive preclinical experience developing therapies for numerous other indications—including cognitive disorders, ALS and other movement disorders such as dystonia and dyskinesia—across multiple modalities, such as biologics (including gene therapy) and small molecules.

  • Our services
  • Specialists in rodent and NHP preclinical efficacy and translational pharmacology studies
  • Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies for small molecules and biologics, including gene therapies
  • Support services, such as imaging, bioanalysis, etc
  • Surgical excellence supporting model development, gene therapy/biologic evaluation, targeting of brain structures, PM tissue collection
  • Bespoke endpoint assay development in addition to endpoints commonly employed in our models

Redefining innovation

Atuka is unique among contract research organizations. Not only do we provide our partners with industry-leading expertise in preclinical trial design and interpretation, but we are committed to ongoing scientific discovery in Parkinson’s disease and other disorders through an extensive internal research program, while actively contributing to and engaging with the scientific literature.  

Working at Atuka means contributing everyday to the development trajectories of potentially life-changing therapeutics, supported by world-class facilities and scientists, and an industry-leading benefits plan. Our mission-driven team is diverse both in background and expertise, bringing to every one of our partner engagements a spirit of close collaboration, along with a commitment to the highest ethical standards in scientific research.

Our sites and facilities

World class facilities, global connections

Our partners benefit from globally-recognized scientists using advanced technologies at leading-edge research and lab facilities in Canada and China.

Atuka is a world expert in NHP research and has the capacity to conduct both small and large studies that use up to 150 macaques at our newly renovated, AAALAC-accredited facility in Suzhou, China. We are able to perform studies no other CRO can, while adhering to the highest standards of animal welfare.

Suzhou, China

  • Macaque in vivo facility
  • In vivo imaging
  • Surgical studies
  • Bioanalytical services
  • Behavioural studies

Toronto, Canada

  • Rodent in vivo laboratory 
  • In vitro laboratory 
  • Administrative office 
Our partners

With a depth of preclinical experience unparalleled in our field globally, Atuka has collaborated with over 90 organizations, including large pharmaceutical and biotech companies, charitable foundations, universities, and government agencies.

TALK TO OUR EXPERTS

Advance your therapeutic program

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