On-Demand Recording

This webinar on-demand replay features a presentation from Ruchi Gupta, Head of Biomarker Discovery and Operations at Alector, on the use of protein biomarkers to enable more efficient drug development, shorten clinical trial timelines, and reduce the risk of failed therapies in neurodegenerative disease.  

The role of biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases has gained significant momentum, especially with recent advancements in drug approvals, revolutionizing the landscape of diagnosis, treatment, and management. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have long posed challenges due to their complex, progressive nature and the difficulty in diagnosing them at early stages. Recent drug approvals, such as aducanumab, donanemab, and lecanemab for Alzheimer’s and levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel for Parkinson’s, have underscored the importance of biomarkers in refining treatment strategies. 

The use of biomarkers — ranging from genetic, imaging, and fluid-based markers to newer proteomic and metabolomic signatures — has become crucial not only in the early detection and accurate diagnosis of these diseases, but also in identifying patient subgroups who are more likely to benefit from specific treatments. Biomarkers like amyloid imaging, tau PET scans, and α-synuclein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are being used to monitor disease progression and evaluate therapeutic responses, improving clinical outcomes and providing insights into the effectiveness of emerging therapies. 

As these biomarkers evolve, they offer the potential to shift treatment paradigms toward earlier interventions, personalized medicine, and a more precise approach to clinical trials. Moreover, the continuous refinement of biomarkers can enable more efficient drug development, shorten clinical trial timelines, and reduce the risk of failed therapies. While challenges remain — such as the need for broader validation and standardization of biomarkers — ongoing advancements promise to dramatically change the landscape of neurodegenerative disease management, providing hope for more effective treatments and better quality of life for patients. 

Speaker Info:

Ruchi Gupta, PhD 
Head of Biomarker Discovery & Operations, Alector 

Ruchi Gupta has more than 16 years of experience in clinical, translational, and pre-clinical drug development. She is the head of biomarker discovery, development, and operations at Alector, leading the biomarker strategy for clinical trials and developing new biomarkers and assays in neurological indications. Earlier roles include director positions at Johnson & Johnson and Gilead Sciences, where Gupta led significant initiatives in neuroimmunology, complement biology, and fibrosis biology. At Johnson & Johnson, she advanced a Tau vaccine program to Phase 2 and played a pivotal role in establishing biomarker panels for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Gupta began her career at AstraZeneca, where she contributed to the development of therapeutic interventions for acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. Her work led to the successful advancement of the LOX-1 program and biomarker strategies crucial for cardiovascular diseases. 

Gupta holds a doctorate in biochemistry and biophysics from Stony Brook University and completed postdoctoral training in neurology at Rockefeller University. 

Mark Roskey, PhD 
Chief Science and Collaboration Officer, Quanterix 

Mark Roskey joined Quanterix in 2014 as the vice president and general manager of applications and reagents. He has more than 25 years of experience in the life science industry focusing on product R&D, applications development, strategic sales and marketing, and overall business management for complex biological solutions and automated instrument systems. Roskey joined Quanterix from PerkinElmer’s LST division where he was VP/GM of the America’s Sales and Service organization. Prior to working at PerkinElmer, Roskey held senior-level commercial and technical positions at Caliper Life Sciences, which was acquired by PerkinElmer in 2011. 

Roskey holds a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Notre Dame and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular immunobiology at the Harvard Medical School.