Mission Therapeutics begins Phase I in-human trials of Parkinson’s disease treatment

Mission Therapeutics has begin a phase I first-in-human clinical trial of MTX325, its potential disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

Around 10 million people globally suffer from Parkinson’s, including almost one million in the US and 1.2 million in Europe – and numbers will go up as populations age.

Mission’s focus is in discovering and developing novel therapeutics which promote the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria, promoting cell health and function. Single ascending, multiple dose ascending and elderly healthy volunteer cohorts are planned for the MTX325 trials in 2024, while Parkinson’s disease patients will be the focus of the trials in 2025.

Dr Paul Thompson, chief scientific officer, said: “While existing treatments for Parkinson’s can help control symptoms such as tremors, slowness of movement, and cognitive problems, none address the underlying neuronal loss which causes this devastating condition.”

Chief medical officer Dr Suhail Nurbhai added: “We look forward to progressing this compound rapidly through initial clinical testing and aim to demonstrate its potentially beneficial clinical profile later this year.”

Mission Therapeutics recently raised £25million to advance its clinical development of drug candidates.