Investigational Parkinson's Drug Shows Potential Benefit
A small study suggests an investigational drug may improve motor control for adults with advanced Parkinson's disease.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Lundbeck recently shared phase 1b clinical trial results for the investigational drug Lu AF28996, which showed potential motor benefits in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease. The company has now launched a larger phase 2 trial, known as DARE2, to further evaluate the treatment.
Why it matters
Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease frequently experience motor complications and treatment-related dyskinesia that remain difficult to manage with current therapies. This early study suggests a potential new pathway for addressing these symptoms when existing standard treatments reach their limits.
This phase 1b open-label trial followed 34 participants with advanced Parkinson's disease, reporting a 3.6-hour increase in Good ON-time at week 6 versus baseline. As a preliminary, non-placebo study, the clinical significance of these findings remains subject to further validation.
The players
Lundbeck
A pharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for brain diseases including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
The details
Participants in the trial received an oral prodrug of a D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptor agonist twice daily. By targeting these specific receptors, the therapy aims to alleviate motor complications and reduce the severity of dyskinesia. The study reported that daily levodopa doses were reduced by 53.4% at week 6, with common side effects including nausea, dizziness, and falls.
Timeline
October 2026: Data presented at MDS 2026 in Seoul.
Week 6: Initial clinical outcomes reported for trial participants.
Week 18: Final clinical outcomes reported for extension participants.
Week 19: Primary endpoint measurement for the DARE2 trial.
Health Landscape
The development of Lu AF28996 follows a long-standing effort to address motor fluctuations that limit the long-term use of levodopa in Parkinson's care. Current research is increasingly focused on identifying dopamine receptor agonists that can improve patient quality of life.
These findings are preliminary and should not influence current treatment decisions, as this drug is not yet approved by any regulatory agency. Patients interested in how these emerging therapies might eventually fit into their management plan should discuss the potential for future trials with their neurologist.
The takeaway
Early research indicates potential for new dopamine-targeting therapies to help manage motor complications in advanced Parkinson's disease. Patients should continue working with their physician to optimize current levodopa regimens and monitor for new trial enrollment opportunities.
What happens next
The DARE2 phase 2 trial, which will involve approximately 150 adults in the United States, Europe, and Japan, will measure changes in daily Good ON-time through week 19.
Further reading
For broader context on neurodegenerative disease research, visit our Alzheimer’s section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PharmaTimes.
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