GBA1 Canada initiative (G-can), a pre-competitive, open science platform for GBA1 research
GBA1 Canada (G-Can) is a pre-competitive, open-science platform serving as a central hub for basic, translational, and clinical research on GBA1 , which encodes the lysosomal enzyme acid beta-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), a key component of the glycosphingolipid metabolism pathway. G-Can unites basic scientists, clinicians, and industry partners in Canada and internationally to minimize duplication of effort and maximize research impact. G-Can has established a comprehensive and growing suite of biological, clinical, and analytical resources for the GBA1 research community. Through the C-BIG Repository and partner infrastructures, these resources are made broadly accessible to academic and industry investigators under non-exclusive agreements, in accordance with G-Can's open-science mandate. G-Can's primary objectives are to deepen understanding of GCase biology and its genetic modifiers, validate disease-relevant biomarkers, and establish trial-ready cohorts exceeding 5000 genotyped participants. Therapeutic programs under development include gene therapy, RNA-based approaches, and combination strategies, with a Phase 0/1 clinical trial targeted within five years. By integrating open-science infrastructure with coordinated therapeutic development, G-Can aims to accelerate the translation of discovery into clinical application for patients with GBA1 -associated neurodegeneration.
Authors
- Konstantin A. Senkevich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3407-5716)
- Priyabrata Halder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9378-5274)
- Guy Armand Rouleau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8403-1418)
- Jason Karamchandani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3906-5616)
- Austen J. Milnerwood (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0056-1778)
- Martin Parent (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0868-1010)
- Thomas M. Durcan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3942-1956)
- Andrew N. Bayne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3535-045X)
- Carl Laflamme (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5906-025X)
- Jean‐François Trempe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6543-3371)
- Ronald B. Postuma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6468-4734)
- Edward A. Fon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5520-6239)
- Jeremy M. Van Raamsdonk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8376-9605)
- Mahtab Tavasoli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7962-3566)
- Madeleine E. Sharp (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6289-9128)
- Gary A.B. Armstrong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4613-8817)
- Peter Scottt McPherson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7806-5662)
- Massimo Pandolfo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5230-5787)
- Lorna J. Chebon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7236-8750)
- Nicolas Dupré (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7270-6115)
- Isabella Pietrantonio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2657-3072)
- Han Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8495-2310)
- Emma N Sommerville
- GBA1 Canada Initiative (G-Can)
Institutions
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (CA)
- McGill University Health Centre (CA)
- Jewish General Hospital (CA)
- Université Laval (CA)
- McGill University (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Parkinson s Disease
- Published
- 2026-10-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1877718x261497542
- Primary Topic
- Lysosomal Storage Disorders Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
- Genome Canada
- Fondation Brain Canada