Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

LONDON, March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Renown Pharma Limited ("Renown") today announced the results of a pharmacokinetic study intended to compare the plasma concentrations of Renown's sub-lingual apomorphine spray against the currently approved formulation of injectable apomorphine used to treat motor fluctuations, or "OFF" episodes, in Parkinson's disease patients. The pharmacokinetics and safety/tolerability of Renown's sub-lingual apomorphine spray were demonstrated in a Phase I pilot study in 12 healthy volunteers with all subjects receiving a 2.5mg sub-cutaneous injection of apomorphine on day 1 followed by escalating 10, 15, 20 & 25mg doses of sub-lingual apomorphine spray on the subsequent four days. The 25mg apomorphine spray dose closely replicated the characteristics of the sub-cutaneous injectable with very fast absorption (peak plasma concentration at 15-20 minutes) and similar peak plasma concentrations. Based on these data, the estimated time to "ON" in patients with Parkinson's disease is expected to be 5-10 minutes which is similar to the injectable. Renown believes that the therapeutic dose for the sub-lingual apomorphine spray to treat "OFF" episodes in Parkinson's patients will be in the range of 15mg-25mg for the majority of patients. Dr. Anthony Clarke, Chief Scientific Officer of Renown, commented, "Patients report that "OFF" episodes in … Continue reading →

Adding to the growing body of evidence suggesting a link between the gut microbiome and Parkinsons disease, a new study reveals that the disease itself, as well as the medications used to treat it, appear to have distinct effects on the composition of the trillions of bacteria in the gut. The findings are published in the journal Movement Disorders. Our study showed major disruption of the normal microbiome the organisms in the gut in individuals with Parkinsons, said Haydeh Payami, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Neurology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine. At this point, researchers arent sure which comes first. Does having Parkinsons cause changes in the gut microbiome, or are these bacterial changes a predictor or early warning sign of Parkinsons? What they do know is that the first signs of Parkinsons often arise around the same time as gastrointestinal symptoms such as inflammation or constipation. The human gut hosts tens of trillions of microorganisms, including more than 1,000 species of bacteria, she said. The collective genomes of the microorganisms in the gut is more than 100 times larger than the number of genes in the human genome. We know that a … Continue reading →

Link between microbiome in the gut, Parkinson's discovered ... Science Daily Parkinson's disease, and medications to treat Parkinson's, have distinct effects on the composition of the trillions of bacteria that make up the gut microbiome, ... and more » Go here to see the original: Link between microbiome in the gut, Parkinson's discovered ... - Science Daily … Continue reading →

Dive Brief: NeuroDerm CEO OdedLieberman described the preliminary Phase 2 results as "extremely encouraging,"demonstrating ND0612s potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Parkinsons patients. More than 1 million Americans live with the disease. Some analysts agreed. Cowen raised its price target on NeuroDerm to $70, up from $38, asserting that the results could transform care for late-stage Parkinsons patients. Analyst Ken Cacciatore described initial feedback as very positive. "In general, our consultants believe the efficacy looks comparable to [AbbVies] Duodopa [approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015], but with a significantly improved use and safety profile. These data substantially de-risk the program. The current valuation is dramatically understated,"he said. Investors are showing increasing interest in the company. In fourth-quarter 2016, Opaleye Management was among a number of hedge funds and other institutional investors boosting their stakes in NeuroDerm. NeuroDerms modified strategy in the EU, in addition to supporting a broader label, should "increase the clinical and commercial potential of ND0612 while not affecting our clinical timelines,"Lieberman said. The CEO emphasized that the pharma aims to achieve its clinical and regulatory objectives as quickly as possible so as to offer a safer and more effective alternative … Continue reading →

Researchers suggest new theory for how Parkinson's disease develops Science Daily "The only specific treatment that is and will continue to be beneficial is the replenishment of dopamine in the brain, through the intake of the supplement L-Dopa, to improve the motor symptoms," said Engelender. "This has been done for several decades ... Continued here: Researchers suggest new theory for how Parkinson's disease develops - Science Daily … Continue reading →

What happened Shares of Neuroderm Ltd(NASDAQ:NDRM)a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing drug-device combinations, were up 23.3% as of 11:19 p.m. on Wednesday. Investors are cheering mid-stage trial results for its Parkinson's disease treatment candidate that uses continuous drug delivery technology. Levodopa, which is converted to dopamine in the brain, is the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, keeping it at an optimal level in the bloodstream isn't easy, and fluctuating responses to the treatment are a big problem. Co-administration of carbidopa helps, but Neuroderm intends to go a step further by using a device named ND0612 to inject a steady supply of the combination. Image source: Getty Images. Investors hoping the improved dosing would reduce the amount of "off-time," or periods when the medication is ineffective and Parkinson's symptoms worsen, can breathe a little easier today. In a 38-patient trial, those receiving a higher dose of the combo through ND0612 enjoyed asignificant reduction of off-time, from 5.5 hours at baseline to just 2.7 hours. Although the trial was pretty small, the observed reduction was strong enough to suggest Neuroderm's much-larger INDIGO trial has a strong chance of success. Investors will have to wait a bit longer … Continue reading →

Drugs commonly prescribed to treat Parkinsons disease have been linked to impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling, compulsive buying, hypersexuality and binge eating in some patients This is reported in a review conducted by neurologists at Loyola Medicine and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. These disorders can have disastrous personal, professional and financial consequences if not recognized or treated, according to the article in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. Authors of the paper include Jos Biller, MD, and first author Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora, MD, who completed a residency in neurology at Loyola. The paper details the latest findings for treating impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinsons disease patients, including adjusting medications, deep brain stimulation and a counseling technique called cognitive behavioral therapy. One large, previous national study found that approximately 14 percent of Parkinsons disease patients experience at least one ICD. The disorders are more common in men. Men are more likely to display hypersexuality and pathological gambling, while women are more likely to exhibit compulsive eating and buying. Potentially catastrophic consequences include financial ruin, divorce and loss of employment. Patients often lack insight and underestimate the presence and severity of ICDs and related conditions, the authors … Continue reading →

NICOLE LAWTON Last updated00:04, February 24 2017 Health Canada The breakthrough in the understanding of how Parkinson's spreads through the brain will lead to better treatment options for sufferers of the disease. A breakthroughdiscovery in Parkinson's research has shed light about how the disease spreads through the brain. The University of Auckland research has debunked traditional thinking about the disease and revealed newpotential treatment strategies. The study, which was published inScientific Reports Natureon Thursday, will bring "real hope" to the13,000 New Zealanders living with the disease, according to Parkinson's New Zealand. Supplied Parkinson's New Zealand chief executive Deirdre O'Sullivan called the study "world-leading" research. "For many years we've been talking about finding a cause, cure or prevention of Parkinson's and this is something that would really help us take a big step towards that goal," said DeirdreO'Sullivan,chief executive ofParkinson's New Zealand. READ MORE: *Living with someone who has Parkinson's disease is a struggle *'I have Parkinson's at 32' * Battling Parkinson's disease with exercise It's thefirst proof, in cell culture, ofhow pathological proteins calledLewybodiesspread from cell to cell in the brain of a person affected byParkinson's, said associate professorMaurice Curtis. Supplied Parkinson's sufferer Judy Clarke said it is encouraging to … Continue reading →

The Parkinson's Foundation began pursuing solutions in 2013 after identifying significant gender differences in Parkinson's treatment and care, as well as the lack of any coordinated effort to address them. Historically, care has been based on research that has focused too narrowly on men or neglected to consider relevant gender differences. For example, treatment protocols have not taken into consideration the fact that women can react differently to medications or are less likely to see specialists. "Research is beginning to prove what the medical community has long suspected: that women experience Parkinson's differently as it relates to diagnosis, symptoms, progression, treatment complications and care," said Allison Willis, M.D., M.S., co-lead of Women and PD TALK and an assistant professor of neurology, biostatistics and epidemiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence. "We applaud the Parkinson's Foundation for putting the unique needs of women on the map with Women and PD TALK, a project that may lead to breakthroughs for women and men." The Women and PD TALK project will charge multidisciplinary leadership teams, comprising experts in the patient, research, and health care communities, with creating recommendations to advance women's healthcare. … Continue reading →

JERUSALEM, Feb 27 (Reuters) - * Israel-based Pharma Two B, which is developing treatments for Parkinsons disease, said on Monday it completed a third round of financing for $30 million. * The company said the funds will be used to complete the final phase III clinical trial needed to register P2B001, its lead combination product for the treatment of Parkinsons disease. * The financing was led by Israel Biotech Fund and included biotech investors aMoon and JVC, as well as current investor, Chicago-based JK&B Capital. * Pharma Two B said P2B001 could potentially help in the early stage of the disease and also be an add-on to Levodopa, which is today a main drug choice. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch) * Bayer to publish more details on Wednesday (Adds details on stake, background on Monsanto financing) WASHINGTON, Feb 28 A Republican effort to repeal and replace Obamacare encountered resistance on Tuesday from party conservatives who said draft legislation emerging in the U.S. House of Representatives would not reduce the cost of healthcare. * Reports positive results in its phase III clinical trial with gp-ASIT+ for grass pollen induced allergic rhinitis Link: Israel's Pharma Two B raises $30 mln for trial of … Continue reading →