The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7392 p314
18 March 2006

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News summary

New lease of life for drug to treat Parkinson's disease?

Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) — a drug that was being developed to treat Parkinson's disease (PJ, 12 April 2003, p507) but was withdrawn in 2004 due to safety concerns — may be given a second chance.

GDNF is a naturally occurring protein that protects and stimulates regeneration of brain cells that secrete dopamine. New Scientist reports that Rheogene, a biotech company, has developed a therapeutic system that should allow GDNF to be delivered to the brain by gene therapy in controlled amounts (2006;2536:13).

The company hopes to begin clinical trials in 2008.