2025: Cure Parkinson's Research Highlights and Future Insights

2024 Updates from Cure Parkinson’s Supported Clinical Trials

Lixisenatide

The LixiPark phase 2 clinical trial for lixisenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, showed promising results in 2024. The trial met its primary endpoint, indicating a slowdown in the progression of motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s in the treatment group compared to the placebo group.

DAPA-PD

A phase 2 clinical trial for dapansutrile, an anti-inflammatory drug, was funded by Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute. This study, led by Dr Caroline Williams-Gray, aims to assess the safety and tolerability of dapansutrile in 36 people with Parkinson’s over 12 months.

Low-dose lithium

Cure Parkinson’s and VAI also funded a phase 1b clinical trial of low-dose lithium, led by Dr Thomas Guttuso. This trial will explore lithium's potential as a disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s by assessing its effects on specific aspects of Parkinson’s biology over 24 weeks.

Exenatide-PD3 Results

The Exenatide-PD3 trial, a large-scale phase 3 clinical trial, concluded in early 2024 without meeting its primary endpoint. The trial aimed to evaluate the potential of exenatide, a Type 2 diabetes drug, to slow Parkinson’s progression but found no significant benefit compared to placebo.

2024 Highlights from Cure Parkinson’s Funded Pre-Clinical Research

iLCT Pipeline Research Acceleration Grant Programme

Cure Parkinson’s announced two new projects under this programme, focusing on the neuroprotective effects of probucol and chlorogenic acid, and the potential of carnosic acid.

CP-6

Research led by Dr Marco Fazzari at the University of Pittsburgh is investigating CP-6, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring fatty acid, for its effects on neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in Parkinson’s.

iLCT Screening Study

Professor Heather Mortiboys is leading a study to gather preclinical data on 100 iLCT-evaluated drugs, focusing on their impact on energy production, waste removal, and harmful protein build-up in Parkinson’s.

Looking Forward to 2025

Upcoming Clinical Trial Recruitment (ASPro-PD and EJS ACT-PD)

Recruitment for the phase 3 clinical trial of ambroxol (ASPro-PD) and the EJS ACT-PD initiative is anticipated to begin in early 2025. These trials aim to evaluate potential disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s.

AZA-PD Clinical Trial Results

The results of the AZA-PD trial, assessing the efficacy of azathioprine in slowing Parkinson’s progression, are expected to be published in 2025.

Quarterly Webinars and Biannual Research Update Meetings

Cure Parkinson’s will continue hosting public research events in 2025, including the next Research Update meeting and quarterly webinars discussing recent developments in Parkinson’s research.

Research Takeaways from 2024 with Dr Simon Stott and No Silver Bullet

Dr Simon Stott will discuss the key research takeaways from 2024 and what to look out for in 2025 during a webinar on January 13.