Clinical trial results offer hope of a new Parkinson’s treatment for motor symptoms and dyskinesia

The trial, co-funded by Parkinson's UK through the Parkinson's Virtual Biotech and the Michael J. Fox Foundation and led by Neurolixis, announced the results of the first part of its second phase in March. 

A massive impact on the Parkinson’s community

The research aimed to develop a drug which treats dyskinesia, involuntary muscle movements which you’re unable to control, caused by levodopa, one of the most common drug treatments for Parkinson’s. 

But further analysis has found that, as well as showing promising results in treating dyskinesia, the trial had a positive effect on other motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as slowness, stiffness and tremor.

Motor symptoms can have a massive impact on people with Parkinson’s, and the people who love and care for them. They can make daily tasks like tying your shoes or buttering bread difficult and frustrating, so a potential treatment for these symptoms could change the lives of many living with the condition. 

Common Parkinson’s drug treatments work by converting into dopamine in the brain, a chemical messenger that people with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of. Although these treatments are effective in the early stages of Parkinson’s, after 5 years around half of people taking levodopa develop dyskinesia as a result. After 10 years, this rises to up to 80%. 

Instead, NLX-112 targets brain cells that carry serotonin which is known to play an important role in controlling our movements. This groundbreaking approach could also inform other research and provide a new way to treat motor symptoms. 

Promising results

22 people with Parkinson’s took part in the trial. 15 participants had the drug and 7 participants had a dummy drug, also known as a placebo. 

Researchers increased the dose for 4 weeks, then participants had 2 weeks on the maximum dose and 2 weeks being weaned off the drugs. The results showed reduced dyskinesia, similar to amantadine, the current most common treatment for the problem. Results also showed improved motor symptoms similar to dopamine agonist drugs, such as ropinirole or Mirapexin, which trick your brain into thinking they are dopamine.  

Positive results were seen with a relatively low dose and improved as the dose went up. This suggests the full benefit of the drug may be even better than we’ve seen in this phase of the trial which will be investigated at later stages.

This research is the first complete clinical trial phase funded through the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech, so we’re excited about the hopeful results for the Parkinson’s community. 

Dr Arthur Roach, Director of the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech at Parkinson’s UK, said:

"These unexpected benefits of NLX-112 are interesting for us and anyone affected by Parkinson’s. NLX-112 could be pioneering a new treatment strategy for both dyskinesia and wider motor symptoms that would offer a different option for people to manage their Parkinson’s. 

"Parkinson’s UK, in partnership with The Michael J Fox Foundation, has been on this journey with Neurolixis from the very early days, and these additional findings are testament to the potential that we saw in this approach. Our Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech programme is fast-tracking work that could deliver treatments in years, not decades and successes like this reinforce why we’re taking this bold approach."

What’s next for the trial?

This is an early-stage trial, and its main aim was to prove the safety and effectiveness of the drug so that it can be tested on a larger scale. The next stage of the trial will aim to find out the best and safest doses and will be done with more participants. Then, a third study phase will take place which will be an even larger-scale study to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the drug. 

If each of these phases is successful, the drug could be approved and available by 2030.