6 Fox Focus | Research
Research Briefs
New Levodopa Treatment Close to Approval
An under-the-skin , continuous infusion of levodopa is close to possible approval by the U . S . Food and Drug Administration . Levodopa is the “ gold standard ” PD medication to treat motor symptoms . Currently , levodopa comes in the form of a pill , a dissolvable tablet , a gel infused into the small intestine and an inhaler . Infused levodopa may expand options for people with Parkinson ’ s whose symptoms are not well-managed with other formulations . Drugmaker AbbVie submitted the therapy for regulatory review . If approved , it could be available in early to mid-2023 .
Large-scale Investments Advance Inflammation Therapies
Two therapies that aim to reduce brain inflammation and protect brain cells are taking sizable steps with MJFF funding . Neuropore Therapies received a $ 4.8-million grant for laboratory development of drug NPT1220-478 and a future human trial . A $ 6.2-million grant to Longevity Biotech will support the first human study of the drug LBT-3627 . Both therapies work against inflammation in Parkinson ’ s . These large investments are allowing the companies to generate critical data that may position them for other partnerships and acceleration toward patient hands .
LRRK2 Drug Enters Next-stage Clinical Trial
Denali Therapeutics and Biogen are enrolling participants in their Phase IIb LUMA study testing an inhibitor to lower activity of the LRRK2 protein and slow disease progression . Parkinson ’ s is linked to higher LRRK2 activity , with and without a mutation in the LRRK2 gene . The LUMA study will enroll at three U . S . sites about 640 people diagnosed with Parkinson ’ s in the past two years who do not have a LRRK2 mutation . A study for mutation carriers will launch later this year . MJFF has invested heavily in studies to profile and measure the LRRK2 pathway , which have allowed these milestones toward a therapy to slow or stop Parkinson ’ s disease .