Last week, findings from the STEADY-PD trial of blood pressure drug isradipine for Parkinson's were released that showed no significant benefit on symptoms. In December, the SURE-PD trial of inosine, a precursor to the antioxidant urate, ended early after it too showed no benefit in people with Parkinson's disease.
In our latest podcast, Contributing Editor Dave Iverson speaks with leaders from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which funded trials of isradipine and inosine on what these results mean for the future of Parkinson's drug development. Todd Sherer, PhD, is CEO of MJFF, which funded Phase II studies of both treatments. Walter Koroshetz, MD, is Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the NIH, which funded the Phase III trials of both.
"I would emphasize that the data that comes from this trial and the other trial is incredibly important," said Koroshetz. "So the patients who contributed their data and participated in these trials, we really want to thank them profusely for doing this. I think it will really help us in terms of design of future trials, and clearly help us in kind of rethinking our strategy for developing a more effective treatment to decrease the chances of developing or slowing down the progression of Parkinson's disease."
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