Drug Discovery and Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • R&D 100 Awards
  • Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50

Drug Could Slow Motor Neuron Disease

By University of Queensland | April 4, 2017

A drug with the potential to delay the progression of motor neuron disease (MND) could be in human trials within three years.

University of Queensland researchers have shown the anti-inflammatory drug PMX205 is effective in animals with the disease, delaying the progression of symptoms and extending survival.

Associate Professor Trent Woodruff said a private company would undertake formal pre-clinical safety trials with the drug.

“As long as the results from the safety studies are positive, the drug could be ready to be trialled in patients in 2019,” Dr Woodruff said.

In the meantime, his laboratory at UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences will test the drug in a range of motor neuron disease models.

“To date we have only tested the drug in one model based on the inherited form of MND, but we believe the same inflammatory pathway is likely to be active in all forms of MND,” Dr Woodruff said.

“Our next project will focus on sporadic MND, which accounts for 90 per cent of patients.”

There is no known cure for MND, a terminal disease with an average life expectancy of two and a half years.

People with MND progressively lose the use of their limbs and ability to speak, swallow and breathe.

UQ’s Dr John Lee, a Motor Neuron Disease Research Institute postdoctoral fellow who conducted the research, said PMX205 could help manage patient symptoms to improve quality and length of life.

“At the moment, the only drug available for patients prolongs survival by two to three months at most,” Dr Lee said.

“In animal models, PMX205 made a visible difference to tremors, muscle strength and mobility, and if this is reflected in people, it could make a real difference to patients.”

The drug has obtained “orphan drug” approval from United States and European licencing authorities, which allows for accelerated progression to human trials.


Filed Under: Drug Discovery

 

Related Articles Read More >

lab microscope
Accelerating R&D with FAIR data
Kallyope
Kallyope’s focus on the gut-brain axis yields a diverse portfolio
Axcella
Axcella touts positive results from Phase 2a long COVID study
artificial intelligence
Defining complexity: A framework to identify complex clinical trials and set them up for success

Need Drug Discovery news in a minute?

We Deliver!
Drug Discovery & Development Enewsletters get you caught up on all the mission critical news you need. Sign up today.
Enews Signup
Drug Discovery and Development
  • MassDevice
  • DeviceTalks
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • Medical Tubing + Extrusion
  • Medtech100 Index
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Subscribe to our Free E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Drug Discovery & Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • R&D 100 Awards
  • Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50