Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, and the Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that 1.2 million people in the United States will suffer from this chronic, progressive condition by 2030. Although a cure does not currently exist, new therapies have the potential to meaningfully impact the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. QPS Neuropharmacology is accelerating the search for an urgently needed treatment for PD by focusing on an existing, FDA-approved drug therapy: Montelukast. QPS Neuropharmacology and the research group of Ludwig Aigner from the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, are cooperating on this funded research project.
The research and development (R&D) project is already in progress, with experiments being performed at QPS Austria and at the Paracelsus Medical University. The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) granted funding to perform the whole study within the frame of the industry-related PhD program (Industrienahe Dissertation).
During the study, a PhD student evaluates the impact of the leukotriene-signaling pathway in the α-synuclein transgenic Line 61 mouse model. In addition, the researchers will test the effect of the leukotriene receptor antagonist Montelukast, a medication already approved for the treatment of asthma and provided by the Canadian biotech/pharma company IntelGenx Corp. in a novel formulation, against PD symptoms in Line 61 mice.
Better treatments are desperately needed to improve the quality of life of people living with Parkinson’s disease and to slow or stop disease progression. Securing FDA approval for a brand-new drug is typically a complex and time-intensive undertaking. By repurposing a drug that has already received FDA approval and has a well-established side effect profile, the cooperation could fast-track a new treatment option for PD.
Since 1995, QPS has provided discovery, preclinical, and clinical drug development services. An award-winning leader focused on bioanalytics and clinical trials, QPS is known for proven quality standards, technical expertise, a flexible approach to research, client satisfaction, and turnkey laboratories and facilities. For more information, visit www.qps.com or email [email protected].