IRLAB presents new data indicating that mesdopetam could prevent dyskinesia in Parkinson’s Disease

January 11, 2021

IRLAB (Nasdaq Stockholm: IRLAB A) has obtained new results from preclinical studies which indicate that the drug candidate mesdopetam also has the potential to prevent the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesias, involuntary and troublesome movements, in Parkinson’s Disease. This increases the commercial potential for mesdopetam. The compound has previously been shown efficacious in the treatment of already established dyskinesia, which is further studied in an ongoing Phase IIb/III study. The results will be presented at the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Global Connectome: A Virtual Event on January 11, 2021.

Levodopa administered several times daily is the standard treatment in Parkinson’s disease since decades. This treatment is associated with development of hypersensitivity to levodopa, so called sensitization. The sensitization is associated with development of levodopa induced dyskinesia occurring in many patients. Therefore, reducing levodopa sensitization has potential to prevent development of dyskinesia.  Dyskinesia substantially reduces quality of life.

“These exciting and important new results from preclinical studies increases the potential benefit of mesdopetam treatment in Parkinson’s disease substantially, since we now see the possibility not only to treat already established dyskinesia, but also to prevent the occurrence of dyskinesia. To prevent the development of disease symptoms has long been a goal in science, hitherto not reached” says Nicholas Waters, CEO at IRLAB.

Previously published preclinical data and results from clinical Phase Ib and Phase IIa studies demonstrate that mesdopetam is active in levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) when dyskinesia is already established. In addition, the new results address the ability of mesdopetam, at low doses, to reduce the development of levodopa induced sensitization in a preclinical model. Thus, mesdopetam has the potential to act as a preventive treatment for dyskinesia, a severe form of involuntary and troublesome movements.

In the study, amantadine, the current treatment option for levodopa induced dyskinesia, was also studied but did not show the same suppression of sensitization to levodopa. Thus, mesdopetam differentiate from current treatment.

The scientific abstract has been reviewed and accepted by the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) and will be presented at one of the most prominent conferences globally, SfN Global Connectome: A virtual event.

Find the poster presentation at the event:

Authors: P. Svenningsson, Y. Yang, S. Hjorth, S. Waters, N. Waters, P. Svensson, J. Tedroff

Presenter: Dr. Susanna Holm Waters M.D., Ph.D, director of Biology and Biostatistics at IRLAB.

Presentation time: Monday, January 11, 2021, at 10:00 -10:30 EST (16:00-16:30 CET)

Presentation number: P116.05

Title: Mesdopetam suppresses sensitization and AIMs in the rodent unilateral 6-OHDA lesion model of Parkinson’s disease

Session title: Therapeutic Strategies

The poster will, after its publication, be available on IRLAB’s webpage under “scientific publications” (www.irlab.se/research-platform/scientific-publications)

For more information

Nicholas Waters, CEO                
Phone: +46 730 75 77 01                
E-mail: nicholas.waters@irlab.se

About the SfN Global Connectome: A Virtual Event

SfN Global Connectome: A Virtual Event is a cross-cutting digital neuroscience event designed to facilitate scientific exchange across the globe and the field, providing scientists at all career stages, of all disciplines, with opportunities to learn, collaborate, and connect.

About mesdopetam

Mesdopetam (IRL790) is a small molecule dopamine D3 receptor antagonist in development for the treatment of PD-LIDs, troublesome dyskinesias commonly occurring after treatment with levodopa, and psychosis in Parkinson’s disease. In preclinical and initial clinical studies, mesdopetam reduces troublesome dyskinesia, that occurs after treatment with levodopa, leading to increased “Good ON"-time. Additionally, in preclinical studies, mesdopetam has shown antipsychotic properties. IRLAB believes that mesdopetam thus has the potential to simultaneously treat both troublesome dyskinesias and psychosis in Parkinson’s disease.

About IRLAB

IRLAB is a Swedish research and development company that focuses on developing novel treatments in Parkinson’s disease. The company's most advanced candidates, mesdopetam (IRL790) and pirepemat (IRL752), both of which completed Phase IIa-studies, intends to treat some of the most difficult symptoms related to Parkinson's disease: involuntary movements (PD-LIDs), psychosis (PD-P) and symptoms linked to cognitive decline such as impaired balance and increased risk of falls (PD-Falls). Through the proprietary research platform, ISP (The Integrative Screening Process), IRLAB discovers and develops unique drug candidates for central nervous system (CNS) related disorders where large and growing medical need exist. In addition to the clinical candidates, the ISP platform has also generated several CNS programs that are now in preclinical phase. IRLAB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Main Market. More information on www.irlab.se.

Quotes

"These exciting and important new results from preclinical studies increases the potential benefit of mesdopetam treatment in Parkinson's disease substantially, since we now see the possibility not only to treat already established dyskinesia, but also to prevent the occurrence of dyskinesia. To prevent the development of disease symptoms has long been a goal in science, hitherto not reached." Nicholas Waters - CEO