Promising Parkinson’s Drug HL192 Moves Closer to Patient Trials

An experimental treatment for Parkinson’s disease, called HL192, has shown to be safe and well-tolerated in its first human trial, according to its developers. The success of this trial opens the door for further studies involving people with Parkinson’s disease. What Is HL192? HL192, also known as ATH-399A, is an oral therapy designed to target Nurr1, a protein crucial for the health and development of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain. Parkinson’s disease occurs when these cells progressively die, leading to symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and difficulty moving. By activating Nurr1, HL192 aims to protect these vital neurons and slow down the progression of the disease. Results From the First Human Trial The Phase 1 clinical trial, conducted over the past year, tested HL192 in 76 healthy volunteers, including older adults. Participants either received a single dose, took the drug daily for 12 days, or were given a placebo. The findings showed that HL192 was safe: Side effects were similar between the drug and placebo groups. The medication remained at levels in the body that are unlikely to cause safety concerns. Early data suggested that a once-daily dose could be suitable for future Parkinson’s trials. What’s Next? With the safety of HL192 confirmed in healthy individuals, the developers — Nurron Pharmaceuticals, Hanall Biopharma, and Daewoong Pharmaceutical — are now planning trials to test the drug in people with Parkinson’s. While no start date for these trials has been announced, the companies are optimistic about moving forward. “We are excited to confirm the well-tolerated safety profile of HL192,” said Dr. Deog Joong Kim, CEO of Nurron. “We expect to launch the next clinical trial in people with Parkinson’s disease.” A Step Toward Better Treatment The Phase 1 trial was supported by a $1.7 million grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), which is dedicated to advancing Parkinson’s research. “This is a meaningful step forward in the development of treatments for the more than 6 million people living with Parkinson’s worldwide,” said Katharina Klapper, clinical research lead at MJFF. Hope for the Future Sean Jeong, MD, CEO of Hanall Biopharma, described the findings as encouraging: “Successfully demonstrating safety and tolerability is a key step in our mission to develop a disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s disease. These findings bring hope to millions of patients and their families.” As researchers continue to refine HL192 and explore its potential in Parkinson’s patients, this early success represents a significant milestone in the search for treatments that can protect brain health and slow the disease’s progression.