New Antibody Treatment Aims to Stop Parkinson’s at the Source – Human Trials Expected in 2025

A new antibody treatment for Parkinson’s disease, called NDC-0524, could begin human trials by the end of 2025, according to Nitrase Therapeutics. The therapy is designed to target a harmful form of a protein called alpha-synuclein, which is linked to the progression of the disease. How It Works In Parkinson’s, misfolded alpha-synuclein forms toxic clumps known as Lewy bodies, which damage brain cells responsible for movement. These clumps spread over time, leading to worsening symptoms. NDC-0524 aims to prevent the buildup and spread of these toxic clumps, potentially slowing disease progression. In lab and animal studies, the antibody delayed the formation of Lewy bodies and their spread through the brain. This suggests it may have a protective effect on nerve cells, though human testing is needed to confirm its benefits. A Breakthrough in Understanding Parkinson’s Nitrase’s research also uncovered a new piece of the puzzle: an enzyme called GLOD4. Scientists found that GLOD4 adds a chemical modification (called nitration) to alpha-synuclein, making it more likely to misfold and clump together. Blocking this enzyme in a mouse model of Parkinson’s led to fewer toxic clumps and slowed down symptoms. This discovery opens up new possibilities for treatment, beyond just NDC-0524. Nitrase is now also working on small molecules that could block GLOD4 to prevent disease-causing clumps from forming in the first place. What’s Next? Before NDC-0524 can be tested in people, it must go through safety and dosing studies. If everything goes as planned, clinical trials will begin in late 2025. While there is still a long road ahead, this research provides hope that targeting alpha-synuclein nitration could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases.