We provide contract research and consultancy services to aid the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics for Parkinson’s disease. We also offer a range of fine chemicals and reagents specific for use in pre-clinical PD modeling.
Atuka Inc. comprises a group of Ph.D. qualified Scientists with considerable experience in the field of translation of therapeutic molecules for Parkinson’s disease.
Atuka Ltd. was founded in 2003 by Dr. Jonathan Brotchie, an expert in the field of Parkinson’s disease. Dr Brotchie, along with Dr Hill and Mr Sefton, were co-founders of Atuka Inc., which was incorporated in 2011. Atuka operates over multiple sites in Canada and China and is affiliated with University Health Network which has an equity stake in Atuka.
Senior Management
Joined Atuka in 2011. She has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, from the University of Manchester, U.K. (2001) and has 15 years of experience in Parkinson’s disease research. She has extensive experience of the key rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson’s disease and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Her research interests are detailed in over 20 peer-reviewed publications.
Received his HBSc and MA in Experimental Psychology from Lakehead University (Thunder Bay, ON), his PhD in Neuroscience from Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, IL) and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA) where he also joined their faculty. Dr. Koprich’s research interests include animal models of Parkinson’s disease and the preclinical evaluation of novel disease modification and symptomatic therapeutics. In recent years, his work has led to the development of progressive rodent and non-human primate models of PD alpha-synucleinopathy. These and other studies are detailed in over 40 peer reviewed publications.
In addition to his role at Atuka, Dr. Koprich is visiting Professor of Neurology at Huashan Hospital/ Fudan University and occasionally serves as a lecturer at the University of Toronto.
Joined Atuka in 2003. He received his B.Sc. in pharmacology from the University of Manchester in 1999 and Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology from King’s College London in 2003. In addition to his role in Atuka, Dr Johnston has an academic position focused primarily on the pharmacology of Parkinson’s disease at University Health Network (2003-present). Dr Johnston has considerable experience in pre-clinical PD models and the development and translation of novel therapies that are featured in 51 peer-reviewed publications.
Joined Atuka in 2011. He has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, from the University of Manchester, UK (1997) and has more than 15 years’ experience in Parkinson’s disease research. Previously, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer at a CRO where he lead translational research that has supported the assessment of efficacy of more than 30 drug candidates in rodent and non-human primate models of PD, 7 of which advanced to clinical studies. These and other studies are detailed in 31 peer-reviewed publications.
Jonathan founded Atuka in 2003 and was its first CEO. He has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, from the University of Manchester, UK (1991) and has more than 25 years’ experience in Parkinson’s disease research managing teams that have identified and validated many drug targets for PD. He has lead translational research that has supported the assessment of efficacy of more than 70 drug candidates in non-human primate models of PD and the advancement of 16 drug candidates to clinical studies. These and other studies are detailed in over 200 peer-reviewed publications.
In addition to his role in Atuka, Dr Brotchie enjoys a reputation for excellence as an academic researcher, leading research programs at University Health Network (2002-present) and University of Manchester (UK, 1991-2002).
Board of Directors
David joined Atuka’s Board as a non-executive director in 2011 and took responsibility for Atuka’s commercial affairs in 2012. He studied law at the University of Manchester, UK and qualified as a lawyer (solicitor) in the UK in 1995 specializing in corporate and commercial matters. He was the managing partner of Laytons Solicitors LLP Manchester, UK office for over 10 years (until 2012) and remains a consultant to the firm.
Michael joined Atuka in 2011. He has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, from the University of Manchester, UK (1997) and has more than 15 years’ experience in Parkinson’s disease research. Previously, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer at a CRO where he lead translational research that has supported the assessment of efficacy of more than 30 drug candidates in rodent and non-human primate models of PD, 7 of which advanced to clinical studies. These and other studies are detailed in 31 peer-reviewed publications.
In addition to his role in Atuka, Dr Hill has an academic position focused primarily on the pharmacology of Parkinson’s disease at University Health Network (2011-present).
Jonathan founded Atuka in 2003 and was its first CEO. He has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, from the University of Manchester, UK (1991) and has more than 25 years’ experience in Parkinson’s disease research managing teams that have identified and validated many drug targets for PD. He has lead translational research that has supported the assessment of efficacy of more than 70 drug candidates in non-human primate models of PD and the advancement of 16 drug candidates to clinical studies. These and other studies are detailed in over 200 peer-reviewed publications.
In addition to his role in Atuka, Dr Brotchie enjoys a reputation for excellence as an academic researcher, leading research programs at University Health Network (2002-present) and University of Manchester (UK, 1991-2002).
Joined Atuka’s Board in 2011. He received his Ph.D. in Immunology at the Sloan-Kettering Division of Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences in 1979. He is an active educator in the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs at the University of Toronto and is internationally recognized as a leader in the area of lymphocyte development and antibody formation, with an active research program in training the immune system to recognize cancer cells. Dr. Paige is the Vice President of Research at the University Health Network, which comprised of the Toronto Rehab, Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals.