UCB0022 for Parkinson's Disease

(ATLANTIS Trial)

This trial tests a new medication, UCB0022, to determine if it can help individuals with advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD) reduce "OFF time," when usual medications are ineffective. Participants will receive either UCB0022 at one of two doses or a placebo (a pill with no active medication) for comparison. The trial seeks individuals who have had Parkinson's for at least five years, experience significant daily motor fluctuations, and are already taking medications like levodopa. Those fitting this description and interested in trying a new treatment may consider this trial. As a Phase 2 trial, the study measures how well UCB0022 works in an initial, smaller group, contributing to important research.

The trial does not specify that you need to stop taking your current medications. In fact, it requires participants to be on a stable dose of standard-of-care treatments, including levodopa therapy.

The trial does not specify that you need to stop taking your current medications. In fact, it requires participants to continue their stable dose of standard Parkinson's treatments, including levodopa.

Research has shown that UCB0022 has been tested for safety and tolerability in both healthy individuals and those with Parkinson's Disease. Past participants generally tolerated UCB0022 well. However, like any medication, it can cause side effects. Although specific side effects are not detailed, the progression to this trial phase suggests a basic level of safety. This trial represents another step in understanding how safe and effective UCB0022 is for people with Parkinson's Disease.¹²³⁴⁵

Unlike the standard treatments for Parkinson's disease, which often include medications like levodopa or dopamine agonists targeting dopamine replacement, UCB0022 offers a novel approach. Researchers are excited about UCB0022 because it employs a unique mechanism of action that could potentially provide benefits beyond current therapies. UCB0022 is designed to be administered orally, offering convenience while aiming to address symptoms differently than traditional dopamine-focused treatments. This innovative approach holds promise for improving quality of life for patients by potentially targeting underlying mechanisms of Parkinson's disease more effectively.

Research suggests that UCB0022 might help reduce movement problems in people with Parkinson's disease. One study showed that it improved movement issues in monkeys given a substance to mimic Parkinson's symptoms. UCB0022 targets a specific part of the brain to help control movement without causing the side effects that traditional treatments might. In this trial, participants will receive either UCB0022 at Dose A, UCB0022 at Dose B, or a placebo. Although data from human trials is still being gathered, these early findings offer hope that UCB0022 could be effective for people with Parkinson's.¹²⁴⁵⁶