A small molecule was found to increase the benefits and reduce the side effects of the standard drug for Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study from UC San Diego startup called Sinopia Biosciences.
L-dopa or levodopa is the main treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but its benefits wane over time and can cause involuntary movements called dyskinesia. About 90% of patients with Parkinson’s disease develop dyskinesia in 9 or more years of using L-dopa, and 70% develop motor fluctuations in 9 or more years of using the drug, according to the study.
The compound, SB-0110, was tested in rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson’s disease during preclinical tests, according to a release. When taken with L-dopa, it reduces dyskinesia and improves movement in the animals that did not benefit from L-dopa alone.
Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. There is no cure, but medicine can help improve symptoms.
More than 1.1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease and nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed every year, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age.
SB-0110 provides the best of both worlds, says Aarash Bordbar, chief executive officer and co-founder of Sinopia Biosciences. Bordbar says the compound improves the efficacy and safety of L-dopa.
“Of course, it remains to be seen how it’ll pan out in the clinic,” Bordbar said. “But I think the data so far is very encouraging.”
Sinopia hopes to begin in-human testing next year, the press release says, and Bordbar estimates that the drug could be available to patients in six to seven years.
“We’re excited to push it into the clinic and see if we’re able to help patients,” Bordbar said.
