Novel Parkinson's therapy

Background

Despite many new drug discoveries, effective treatment of Parkinson's Disease remains problematic, new approaches and new delivery methods are required to provide more efficacious therapies.

Problem

Chronic long term treatment of Parkinson's Disease is associated with the development of motor complications such as the on-off phenomenon (periods of excessive abnormal movement followed by periods of prolonged immobility) and dyskinesias (involuntary movements). In order to achieve therapeutic efficacy, frequent high doses of the oral drug are required and these commonly lead to peak drug levels which may overstimulate the dopaminergic nervous system, hence worsening the motor complications. Existing alternatives to oral administration of Parkinson's therapeutics include the use of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube, non-commercial intravenous infusions and subcutaneous apomorphine infusion. However, these formulations involve relatively invasive measures (gastrostomy tube and intravenous access) with also higher risks of complications, while apomorphine infusion is associated with significant nausea.

Solution

A new formulation of a Parkinson's Disease developed that will be more convenient, safe and have less side effects compared with existing alternatives by providing a more controlled, continuous therapeutic dose and less variation in plasma levels.

Market Potential

Projected revenues for such a product may be expected to exceed more than €100M based on comparisons with existing similar products.

This product is currently available to license from NHSIL.