First Human Dosed in Phase 1 Study of PRX002 for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

...Prothena Corporation plc PRTA +13.34% , a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel antibodies for the potential treatment of diseases that involve protein misfolding or cell adhesion, announced today the successful start of a Phase 1 clinical trial of its therapeutic monoclonal antibody candidate, PRX002, for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Prothena has earned a $15 million milestone payment from Roche related to the initiation of this study.

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PRX002, a monoclonal antibody targeting α-synuclein, has been tested in various cellular and animal models of synuclein-related disease. Passive immunization with 9E4, the murine version of PRX002, in multiple transgenic mouse models of Parkinson's disease reduced the appearance of synuclein pathology, protected synaptic connections and improved performance by the mice in behavioral testing. PRX002 may slow or reduce the progressive neurodegeneration associated with synuclein misfolding and/or the cell-to-cell transmission of the pathogenic forms of synuclein. For more information, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and search identifier NCT02095171.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fir...ase-2014-04-08