A once-daily pill for Parkinson's disease has shown significant benefits in a late-stage trial, according to scientists. The drug, solengepras, was given to some participants in a study of 341 patients alongside their existing medication.
Those who took higher doses experienced a notable reduction in tremors, stiffness, and slowness associated with the condition. Patients in the US also reported being more alert during the day, according to the Daily Mail.
A different mechanism of action
Solengepras works differently from existing treatments. Most current drugs rely on dopamine, a brain chemical that controls movement and helps calm tremors. Solengepras instead targets a brain receptor called GPR6, which slows movement. By blocking this receptor, the drug effectively releases the brakes on movement, allowing patients to move more freely.
The drug also does not affect sleep patterns in the way dopamine-based medications can.
Expert reaction and next steps
Laurence Barker, a partner at SV Health Investors and a board member of Cerevance, said: “We are thrilled to see that the early scientific discovery of GPR6 has now translated to benefit across daily function, alertness, and quality of life measures that will have meaningful impact for Parkinson's patients.”
He added: “This is the first positive phase three study for a non–dopaminergic mechanism for a very long time.”
Around 166,000 Britons have Parkinson's, and the last major treatment breakthrough came in the 1960s with levodopa. Talks with US regulators are reportedly planned for solengepras to become available on prescription within the next few years, with a similar process in the UK also planned.
