“IRL1117 is an orally available and potent dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonist that has demonstrated rapid onset and more than 10 hours of sustained efficacy in preclinical studies. This is a sharp contrast to the short duration of today’s Parkinson’s treatment alternatives, thus indicating that IRL1117 could become a significant improvement in the treatment of Parkinson’s. We see tremendous potential in IRL1117, and its follow-on compounds, already at the initial stages of preclinical development and we are looking forward to learning more about the efficacy and safety profile of IRL1117 as it develops toward clinical studies,” said Nicholas Waters, EVP and Head of R&D, IRLAB.

At present, people with Parkinson’s disease are prescribed the anti-Parkinson’s treatment levodopa treating the hallmark symptoms of tremor, rigidity, and slowness of movement. Levodopa has been the mainstay treatment of Parkinson’s since the 1960s and is currently the only medication that provides adequate symptomatic relief of the disease during its progression. Levodopa has, however, significant treatment-related limitations, especially the short duration of action and the occurrence of troublesome treatment-related complications such as excessive involuntary movements (dyskinesia, PD-LIDs). By comparison, IRL1117 offers a clearly differentiating alternative being orally available, potent and displaying a long-duration anti-parkinsonian efficacy without inducing the troublesome complications during long-term treatment.

“We are very excited about the P003 project. A drug candidate from the project could, after successful clinical development, come to be an important drug for the mainstay treatment of the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s and has the potential to transform the treatment paradigm of Parkinson’s,” said Richard Godfrey, Chief Executive Officer, IRLAB.

More information about IRL1117 will be communicated as its clinical development progresses.