75 programs!! do you have some suggestions of where to go and research the state of those programs. Just looked at the Prosavin, it seemed pretty exciting. I have a parent with Parkinson which is leaving pretty stressed out

that number (75) was taken from an article, but you can find a detailed status for most at our Pipeline Project website database at
www.pdpipeline.org
Peg

The FDA has been wrangling with Solvay over not having any placebo testing with duodopa. Solvay has finally agreed to do a phase III which will hopefully be in the U.S. this summer. I heard the same last year but this time it's closer to being true.

So to my knowledge, this problem is at least a year old, probably longer - I heard about it a year ago. Placebo testing for l-dopa because it involves a different delivery system. most of us with advanced PD know whether or not we can tolerate l-dopa and whether or not it works. But we have to have it tested with a placebo before it can be approved.

Does anyone know anyone outside the the U.S. who is on pump infused duodopa? If so, how is it at evening out ons and offs?

You can let me know sometime in the next year as they face delay after delay bringing it here.

paula

Word I heard on the gene therapy thing (which I guess would include ProSavin) is that they just don't know if the virus which bears the genetic material that is placed in the brain will at some unforseen future moment decide to mutate uncontrollably or unexpectedly.

you are right that gene therapy and the use of the AAV vector is new and as such may contain risk.

Not sure if things are quite as unknown as your reply suggests, at the moment, based on knowledge gathered, AAV is safe and well tolerated for the application of gene therapy in a number of products for PD.

IMHO gene therapy is no more risky or safe than any other ground breaking novel therapy.

Take care,
Neil.