Parkinson’s Study Will Share Trial Results in October
Researchers will report that a potential Parkinson’s therapy did not meet efficacy goals in a recent study.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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At the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in Seoul, researchers will present findings from the ACTIVATE study. The presentation on 7 October 2026 will reveal that the investigational compound BIA 28-6156 failed to slow disease progression.
Why it matters
The clinical program for BIA 28-6156 has been discontinued because the study results did not demonstrate the necessary efficacy in slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease. These findings provide clarity on the therapeutic potential of this specific compound for patients with GBA-PD.
The ACTIVATE study was a controlled clinical trial involving 271 participants with GBA-PD. While the trial demonstrated a favourable safety profile for BIA 28-6156, it did not show evidence of slowing disease progression.
The players
Bial
A pharmaceutical company headquartered in Porto, Portugal, that develops therapies for neurological disorders and invests over 20% of its annual revenue in research and development.
Joaquim Ferreira
A professor and researcher who will present the findings from the ACTIVATE study on behalf of the investigative team.
The details
The ACTIVATE study evaluated the impact of BIA 28-6156 on GBA-PD, a form of Parkinson’s associated with specific genetic mutations. The compound was tested for its ability to modulate disease mechanisms in the central nervous system. Despite the drug being well-tolerated, researchers found no significant clinical improvement in slowing the decline of physical or cognitive function in participants.
Timeline
The International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders will occur from 4 to 8 October 2026.
Professor Joaquim Ferreira will deliver the oral presentation of the ACTIVATE results on 7 October 2026.
Health Landscape
The closure of the BIA 28-6156 program reflects the ongoing challenges in identifying effective disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s. Future efforts, such as the PEPP and TRACK-PD studies, continue to build the foundation for potential innovative treatments.
These study results help clarify which treatment pathways are not viable for patients with GBA-PD. If you have questions about current clinical trial opportunities or new Parkinson’s therapies, these findings are worth discussing with your neurologist or movement disorder specialist.
The takeaway
While the ACTIVATE study did not show efficacy for BIA 28-6156, its data remains valuable for the development of future therapies. Patients should continue to track new trial listings and consult their physician to stay informed about active research relevant to their specific diagnosis.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of neurodegenerative research, visit our Alzheimer’s section.
More information
For additional corporate information, visit the Bial official corporate website.
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