Neuroderm demonstrates positive Parkinson's drug results

Pharmaceutical firm Neuroderm has revealed data suggesting a higher level of its Parkinson's disease drug could provide an alternative to surgical treatments.

The company studied the effectiveness of levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) product candidates, ND0612H and ND0612L, in a trial of 16 patients with an advanced form of Parkinson's. They were found to lead to clinically significant plasma levodopa levels. 

As levodopa has a short half-life, patients receiving oral doses are required to take several doses a day - but this can lead to involuntary movements, or dyskinesia, in some people. 

Continuous administration can overcome this but can only currently be achieved through permanent implantation of a tube in the small intestine.

Neuroderm's drug candidates were delivered through a belt-worn pump and then compared with the oral forms LD/CD. It was found that ND0612H achieved levodopa plasma levels that could previously only be maintained with surgical intervention.

"These results add to the growing body of clinical data confirming our thesis that continuous, subcutaneous delivery of LD/CD leads to more consistent therapy," said Dr Oded Lieberman, chief executive officer of Neuroderm, adding that this could replace the need for surgical intervention.

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