Multimillion Parkinson's cure deal signed

Two companies have signed an agreement worth a possible $132 million (£110.3 million) to develop a cure for Parkinson's disease.

Merck KGaA has teamed up with Domain Therapeutics in France to research further the metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) which is thought to be a possible target for Parkinson's therapy.

Bernhard Kirschbaum, executive vice president for global research and development at Merck Serono, said the company is pleased with the opportunity to work with Domain Theraputics.

"This partnership with Domain Therapeutics reflects our long-term commitment to develop new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases," he continued.

Meanwhile, the production of Parkinson's drug Sinemet will return to full supply in 2011, after the shortage that plagued those with the condition last year.

MSD UK announced that production is back up to full speed, but warned that increased demand could still have an effect, as back-orders and extra subscriptions are filled.

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