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news.Prana Biotechnology has identified novel therapeutic drug candidates from its Parkinson's disease program. The compounds being tested in the program are novel compounds selected from Prana's proprietary metal-protein-attenuating compounds library for their selective suitability for Parkinson's research.
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Prana’s drug candidates are being tested on two widely used mouse models for Parkinson’s disease, which employ either the 6-hydroxy-dopamine (6-OHDA) or MPTP toxins. These models mimic the disease by using these toxins to destroy the substantia nigra cells over time, leading to motor function loss.
Already a candidate lead drug has been shown to protect and preserve the substantia nigra cells from the damage of 6-OHDA and was also able to increase motor function in those animals treated with Prana’s drug. In addition, the same lead candidate drug showed benefit in the MPTP animal model and protected the substantia nigra cells from the toxic damage of MPTP.
Geoffrey Kempler, chairman and CEO of Prana, said: “Prana’s drug candidates for Parkinson’s disease are designed to target the underlying cause of the disease by protecting the brain from neuronal loss with the aim of minimizing the actual disease in patients, in contrast to providing temporary symptomatic relief.”