Research
RESEARCH
BRIEFS
Spring/Summer 2018
Repurposing for
Parkinson’s: A Head Start
to the Finish Line New Treatments for
“Off” Time Submitted for
Approval
“Repurposing” is when researchers investigate
drugs approved for other conditions for their
safety and potential to slow or stop Parkinson’s
progression. A Phase III trial of the blood
pressure medication isradipine completed
recruitment six months ahead of schedule with
Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) support.
And two Phase II trials of the cancer drug
nilotinib, one funded by MJFF, are recruiting
volunteers. Scientists also are looking into
drugs for asthma and inflammatory diseases
for their impact on Parkinson’s disease (PD).
(Visit foxtrialfinder.org for more on the
nilotinib trials and other PD studies.) For people who experience “off” periods in
PD (times when medication is not working
well and symptoms return), relief may
be right around the corner. In February,
Acorda announced the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) will review its
inhaled levodopa formulation. And in March,
Sunovion submitted a New Drug Application
to the FDA for its dissolvable, under-the-
tongue apomorphine strip. MJFF funded
early studies of both therapies, which aim
to quickly bring people back “on” and ease
symptoms. The FDA is expected to issue its
decision to Acorda this fall, and to Sunovion
by early 2019. (Visit michaeljfox.org/
FDAapprovals to stay in-the-know about new
treatments coming to market.)
STAY
CONNECTED
Stay connected with the latest scientific progress
toward a cure at michaeljfox.org/researchnews.
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The Fox Focus