As new treatment options are being continually investigated and trialed against Parkinson’s disease, the possibilities offered by deep brain stimulation (DBS) risk being overlooked. Though not a cure, the therapy could vastly improve the quality of life for patients with the disease.
Samsara Therapeutics Inc. has described autophagy inducers reported to be useful for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Neuron23 Inc. has synthesized leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2; dardarin) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Alchemab Therapeutics Ltd. has been awarded a grant of $595,000 by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to support its Parkinson’s disease program.
Hørsholm, Denmark-based Contera Pharma A/S’ lead asset for levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease, JM-010, failed to meet its primary endpoint in the late-stage phase IIb Astoria trial. JM-010 is a novel drug formulation and 5-HT receptor modulator that combines existing medications of immediate-release buspirone and extended-release zolmitriptan.
Irlab Therapeutics AB has obtained clearance from the Swedish Medical Products Agency to initiate a phase I study of IRL-757, which is being developed as a treatment to counteract apathy in Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.
A readout of phase III data of buntanetap in Parkinson’s disease is up next as Annovis Bio Inc. tries to recover from the market’s reaction to mixed phase II/III results in Alzheimer’s disease. The company’s stock (NYSE:ANVS) dropped 60% when the data were released on April 29 and continued downward on April 30, with shares closing 23.5% lower at $5.57 each. The shares’ 12-month peak was on Dec. 27 at $19.54 each.
Jiangsu Chia Tai Fenghai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has developed a new small-molecule oral compound for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, FHND-1002, which demonstrated neuronal protection in models of neurodegenerative diseases and neuron trauma.
Singapore- and U.S.-based Sunbird Bio Pte Ltd. is advancing its blood-based diagnostics platform for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkison’s disease (AD/PD), amidst new breakthroughs in the AD drug therapies and diagnostics space.
BNC Korea Inc. is picking up exclusive commercial rights to Kariya Pharmaceuticals ApS’ dual GLP-1/GIP agonists for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease in five countries – a move that comes shortly after BNC Korea dropped $1.5 million into the Danish pharma for a 4.5% stake.