PRESS RELEASE BY THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR YOUTH, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Investment in the ‘MINDS’ project to place Malta at the forefront of Parkinson’s research

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti launched the “MINDS” project, a biomedical research initiative at the University of Malta aimed at transforming the care and knowledge regarding the Parkinson’s condition in our country.

With an investment of €150,000, the “MINDS” project is not merely a scientific study, but a bold step for Malta to position itself shoulder to shoulder with the best European centres in medical excellence. This research, under the leadership of Professor Neville Vassallo, aims to lead to greater medical understanding and lay the foundation for new medicines driven by our local talent. This initiative complements the services already offered by the Government, such as free medication and complex interventions like Deep Brain Stimulation.

In his intervention, Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti maintained that this project is a declaration of courage against a condition that touches the lives of approximately 3,000 people in Malta. “Our vision for the future is clear: that the field of Life Sciences & Health becomes a pillar upon which we build the future of our islands as part of the Malta Vision 2050. Through this project, we are investing in excellence and nurturing young Maltese researchers by giving them the key to open doors to new medical solutions”.

Adrian Casha, Parkinson’s ambassador in Malta and deputy chairman of Step Up for Parkinson’s, shared his personal experience and the reality of those living with this condition. He explained how, despite the physical challenges and the stigma that still sometimes exists in society, research and technology are making a significant difference. “From my heart, I hope that the MINDS research opens new horizons so that people with Parkinson’s can live a better life. My gratitude goes to the Government because, through these funds, Professor Vassallo and his team will be able to continue their dedicated study and search”.

For his part, Professor Neville Vassallo, the project’s principal investigator, emphasized the importance of biomedical research in our country. He explained that projects like "MINDS" are essential to understanding the mechanisms of the condition at a molecular level, which is the crucial first step to developing more effective and personalized treatments for Maltese patients.

“MINDS” comes at a significant time as the world prepares to commemorate World Parkinson’s Day on April 11th. This investment is proof of the Government's continuous commitment to offering new hope and full support to patients and their families, while strengthening Malta's position as a world-class centre for innovation and research.