Neuroderm is finding some early validation in the clinic of its plans to deliver an orally administered Parkinson's disease drug more efficiently through a patch on the skin.
The Israeli business newspaper Globes is reporting that the firm achieved encouraging results in a Phase II clinical trial of ND0611, a carbidopa patch designed to deliver oral levodopa directly to the bloodstream through the skin.
Neuroderm's trial included 24 patients who were each given six treatments, according to Globes. Three treatments involved Parkinson's drugs already in the marketplace, and the rest used the ND0611 patch to administer the same drugs.
What was encouraging was this: Each patient who received the drug transdermally through the patch showed higher levels of the treatment compared with oral drugs.
Such a breakthrough could be crucial for Parkinson's patients because oral levodopa is digested quickly, Globes noted. To compensate, doctors prescribe high doses, which can lead to side effects. The drug can produce a variety of side effects including loss of bladder control, double vision and inability to move the eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A patch on the skin could, therefore, deliver a lower dose to greater effect. Before it reaches the marketplace, however, the Israeli company will put ND0611 through Phase IIb and Phase III trials, Globes reported.
- For more, read the Globes story
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