A novel drug designed to treat apathy in Parkinson’s disease patients is ready to begin clinical trials.
IRLAB Therapeutics drug candidate IRL757 has completed all preclinical studies and development work necessary to start Phase I.
IRL757 has been designed to reverse the state of disruption in cortical to sub-cortical nerve signalling, a proposed mechanism underlying apathy in neurological disorders.
IRLAB CEO, Gunnar Olsson, said:
“Apathy is a debilitating condition in many neurological disorders and lacks effective treatment.
“IRL757 has shown tremendous potential in this indication in the preclinical programme, and we are pleased that it is now ready for Phase I.”
Apathy is a lack of interest, enthusiasm or motivation.
The non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease and interferes with the effective management of symptoms as apathetic people are less inclined to exercise and follow their medication schedules.
Apathy affects over 20 million people in the US and Europe alone with no currently available treatment.
Around 40 per cent of people in the UK with Parkinson’s experience apathy, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
IRL757 has shown promise in various preclinical models, which assess different aspects of cognitive function and motivation.
The efficacy of the candidate is thought to be linked to its unique ability to reverse disruption in cortical to sub-cortical nerve signalling – a key factor believed to contribute to apathy in neurological disorders.
IRL757 is considered Phase I-ready as all preclinical studies and development work necessary to start Phase I have been completed.
A clinical trial application (CTA) to start a Phase I study is now in preparation.
Olsson added: “Bringing yet another program to this stage shows the strength and ability of IRLAB to discover and develop novel therapies for neurological disorders.”
