Leading charities Parkinson’s UK and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) have joined forces with Neurolixis to fund a $2 million Phase 2A trial investigating the clinical effects of NLX-112. The compound has previously shown robust capacity for reducing uncontrolled movements, known as dyskinesia. Dyskinesia is experienced by people with Parkinson's disease who have been treated for several years with levodopa - a standard treatment for Parkinson’s. Between 40 and 50 percent of people with Parkinson’s will experience dyskinesia after just five years of taking levodopa.

NLX-112 works by targeting brain neurons that produce serotonin. These neurons are believed to contribute to the development of dyskinesia by converting levodopa - the main drug taken for Parkinson’s - into dopamine and releasing it in an erratic manner. NLX-112 stabilizes the amount of dopamine these serotonin cells release.

The new study, led by a team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, will now assess whether NLX-112 is safe and well-tolerated in people with Parkinson's. The study will also investigate whether NLX-112 can reduce dyskinesia as well as some non-motor symptoms, such as depressed mood and disturbed sleep.