In animal models, the experimental compound IkT-148009, an inhibitor of Abelson’s tyrosine kinase (c-Abl), prevented the accumulation of the misfolded protein α-synuclein, which is associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Treatment with the inhibitor prevented neurodegeneration.
Irlab Therapeutics AB’s phase IIb exploration of the dopamine D3-receptor with the Ipsen SA-partnered oral antagonist mesdopetam in Parkinson’s disease (PD) levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) fell short in terms of the primary endpoint, but the company is holding out hope. Mesdopetam missed the primary endpoint of change in daily hours of “on” time – periods of adequate PD control – without troublesome dyskinesia as shown in patient diaries, the company said.
Nervtex Co. Ltd.’s diagnostic assessment software Modas for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease has been given NMPA approval in China. Using smart mobile devices, Modas can process video data collected from people with potential or existing movement disorders when they are in any specific motion state.
A drug that Novartis AG discontinued in fragile X syndrome in 2014 after it failed in two phase II/III trials has been in-licensed by neuroscience specialist Stalicla SA, which plans to revive the prospects of the glutamate receptor antagonist by applying its precision medicine technology to identify likely responders.
Umecrine Cognition AB has announced results showing that its GABA-A receptor-modulating steroid antagonist golexanolone reversed fatigue, anxiety, depression, and some cognitive and motor alterations in a preclinical model of Parkinson's disease. Compared to a control-operated group, models with Parkinson's disease showed increased fatigue in the treadmill test and anxiety in the open field test.
Seelos Therapeutics Inc. has announced in vivo data demonstrating that a single dose of SLS-004 downregulated the production of α-synuclein in an established α-synuclein overexpressing animal model of Parkinson's disease.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. posted positive top-line data from its phase IIb/III study of ANAVEX 2-73-AD-004 (blarcamesine) in treating mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild AD. The oral small-molecule activator of the sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1) met the study’s primary endpoints and key secondary endpoint with statistically significant results.
Vigil Neuroscience Inc. has synthesized triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, prion infections, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Nasu-Hakola diseases.
Cajal Neuroscience Inc., a startup seeking new targets to use in medicines for neurodegeneration, has launched with the completion of a $96 million series A financing led by The Column Group and Lux Capital. The company, inspired by the pioneering work of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, is focused on the "mechanistic, spatial and temporal complexity of neurodegeneration" to determine "how, where and when different mechanisms contribute to disease."
