Daily pill is a potential breakthrough for Parkinson’s patients

A new pill could offer hope to people with Parkinson’s disease after a trial found it reduced symptoms that can impair quality of life.

The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested Solengepras in people with Parkinson’s across the US, Europe, UK and Australia.

Participants received either 75mg or 150mg of solengepras or a placebo while continuing their dopamine-based medication.

Solengepras was developed by US clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Cerevance and works by blocking GPR6, a receptor that slows movement.

Existing Parkinson’s treatments work by increasing dopamine, which is reduced in the brains of people with the condition, but can cause nausea, hallucinations and involuntary movements.

Both the solengepras and placebo groups improved during the trial. Those taking the higher 150mg dose reported nearly 37 minutes less daily “off” time than the placebo group and about an hour and a half less than before the trial.

“Off” periods occur when dopamine-based medication is not working properly, leaving people feeling unwell, stiff, slow or shaky.

Participants taking the drug also had about 36 additional minutes a day of “on” time without dyskinesia, or movement problems, compared with the placebo group.

Activities including dressing, eating and getting around were also easier, while patients felt less sleepy.

The drug appeared to be well tolerated, with researchers reporting no serious side effects, although some participants experienced headaches and urinary tract infections.

Cerevance said it will discuss the findings with the US Food and Drug Administration to determine the next steps.

Craig Thompson, chief executive of Cerevance, said the trial showed a consistent pattern of benefit across “off” time, “on” time, daily motor function, daytime alertness and quality of life.

“As a potential first-in-class, non-dopaminergic therapy, solengepras gives us the opportunity to evaluate what a new mechanism may offer people with Parkinson’s.”