The most comprehensive analysis of Parkinson’s drug clinical trials has shown a shift towards disease-modifying research.

The most in-depth analysis ever undertaken of Parkinson’s drug clinical trials has shown how, for the first time, research largely aimed at slowing or stopping the condition has overtaken that of symptom management. The decade-long project brings promise for the approximately 166,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK.

The research found that between 2022 and 2024, disease-modifying trials accounted for more than half of all new trial registrations for the first time. These are designed to slow, stop or reverse how Parkinson’s progresses. 

A total of 444 Parkinson’s drug trials were registered in the decade between 2015 and 2024, involving more than 39,000 participants worldwide. Across them, 281 distinct drug interventions were tested.

133 disease-modifying trials were still active when the analysis period ended, and of them, more than 31% were associated with drugs previously evaluated by their committee, at the International Linked Clinical Trials.

However, only nine of the trials had progressed to Phase 3, the crucial final stage before regulatory approval. Most remained in early-stage testing. As well as stressing this, the analysis identified some additional areas of need, with non-motor symptoms, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, still vastly under-represented in the trial pipeline. 

The research was published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease in May and worked on by the charity Cure Parkinson’s. 

Changing face of research

For most of the decade looked at, most trials focused on therapies that manage Parkinson’s symptoms. These are usually tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement and have underpinned Parkinson’s care since the 1970s.

However, the new analysis shows that this has changed. The research pipeline now spans a broad range of biological targets, including genetic pathways and cell therapies.

It follows decades of research and investment to better understand the biology behind Parkinson’s, and therefore its treatments.

“The field has undergone a transformation over the past decade, and for the first time, the emphasis of new research is on changing the course of the disease, not just managing its symptoms,” commented Simon Stott, director of research at Cure Parkinson’s, acknowledging that there are still some challenges ahead.

Last month, medical device provider Kneu Health claimed its new app can phenotype Parkinson’s.