Over the past two decades, biotech companies and clinicians have tried to develop a cure for Parkinson's disease based on Glial cell line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), a naturally occurring factor promoting the growth of dopamine neurons. Some clinical results were stunning, with patients experiencing a spectacular improvement in their symptoms and a return to 'normal' life. However, delivery of GDNF has been a major challenge. As it cannot be absorbed orally, a variety of delivery methods have been tested including direct pumping into the brain, intranasal delivery and gene therapy. Newly formed Mavalon Therapeutics is developing the first orally available small molecule able to induce GDNF production within the brain of Parkinson's patients, a treatment that will bring benefits to a larger population than the current intra-brain delivery of GDNF.

Domain Therapeutics and Medicxi partner to launch Mavalon Therapeutics

This New Biotech wants to Regrow Neurons to cure Parkinson's

Tupelo, do you know when phase 2 trials begin and will they conduct any trials in the states. Thanks for posting this. This is encouraging

It seems that a Phase II clinical trial is scheduled to start next year Medicxi founds Parkinson’s startup, commits €9M | FierceBiotech.

I don't believe they have scheduled any clinical trials for DT010709 (mGluR3) yet. Kiwi, I'm not sure where you saw they are scheduled for a Phase II next year. To date, they only have reported on in vitro and in vivo studies. I would imagine that they would have to do a Phase I first. Don't confuse this drug with their related PD drug PXT002331, which is set to begin a Phase II trial next year. The research on DT010709 and another compound, DT011088 in 2011 and was funded by several MJFF grants. However, they hadn't been able to find a partner to move forward, until yesterday's announcement.