IRLAB’s drug candidate mesdopetam's mechanism of action receives confirmation by independent scientists
IRLAB (Nasdaq Stockholm: IRLAB A) announced today that independent scientists have confirmed that the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) is a highly promising drug target with therapeutic potential in levodopa-induced dyskinesia, especially when the receptor’s unique signaling properties are taken into account. IRLAB’s mesdopetam is currently the most advanced D3R antagonist compound in the global neurology pipeline. It is used in the scientific article to exemplify a compound that could have an impact on the management of anumber of disorders marked by aberrant D3R activity. The article was published in the scientific journal Biomedicines in March 2021.
“The authors of this scientific article use mesdopetam as the example of a new promising drug candidate targeting the D3R,” says Nicholas Waters, CEO at IRLAB. “It is great to see that mesdopetam and our science raised such interest, highlighting mesdopetam’s unique mechanism of action targeting the D3R. The discovery of mesdopetam and its novel mechanism illustrates the effectiveness of ISP, our systems biology research platform.”
Mesdopetam, a first-in-class compound, is in development for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson’s disease (PD-LIDs) and psychoses in Parkinson’s disease (PD-P). An international Phase IIb/III PD-LIDs study is currently ongoing. The wider potential for mesdopetam within neurological indications includes prevention of PD-LIDs and treatment of and tardive dyskinesias (TD). Tardive dyskinesia is a complication in patients chronically exposed to antipsychotics and is associated with upregulated D3R in the brain; More than 3 million patients are affected worldwide, and an unmet clinical need exists.
The publication: Lanza, K.; Bishop, C. Dopamine D3 Receptor Plasticity in Parkinson’s Disease and L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 314. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9030314.
For more information
Nicholas Waters, CEO
Phone: +46 730 75 77 01
E-mail: nicholas.waters@irlab.se
About mesdopetam
Mesdopetam (IRL790) is a dopamine D3 receptor antagonist developed to prevent and treat levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs), a severe form of troublesome involuntary movements commonly occurring in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mesdopetam is also in development for the treatment of psychosis in Parkinson’s (PD-P).
In clinical studies, mesdopetam reduces time spent with troublesome dyskinesia and thereby increases daily “good ON-time” in patients with Parkinson’s. Preclinical studies show that mesdopetam is a potent and efficacious antidyskinetic, and that mesdopetam also has the potential to prevent the development of dyskinesia. In addition, mesdopetam has shown antipsychotic properties in preclinical studies. IRLAB believes that mesdopetam has the potential both to prevent and treat troublesome dyskinesias and to treat psychosis in Parkinson’s disease.
About IRLAB
IRLAB is a Swedish research and development company that focuses on developing novel treatments in Parkinson’s disease. The company's most advanced candidates, mesdopetam (IRL790) and pirepemat (IRL752), both of which completed Phase IIa studies, intends to treat some of the most difficult symptoms related to Parkinson's disease: involuntary movements (PD-LIDs), psychosis (PD-P) and symptoms linked to cognitive decline such as impaired balance and increased risk of falls (PD-Falls). Through the proprietary research platform, ISP (The Integrative Screening Process), IRLAB discovers and develops unique drug candidates for central nervous system (CNS) related disorders where large and growing medical need exist. In addition to the clinical candidates, the ISP platform has also generated several CNS programs that are now in preclinical phase. IRLAB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Main Market. More information on www.irlab.se.