GlycoSyn works on Parkinson's Drug
August 2006

GlycoSyn has nearly completed the manufacture of the key ingredient for a new drug designed to slow the progression of Parkinson's Disease.

Initially invented by scientists at University of Otago, Antipodean Pharmaceuticals Ltd is now trialling the drug, MitoQ®, and has been working closely with GlycoSyn to advance the drug further.

In an agreement between Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) and Antipodean Pharmaceuticals Ltd, GlycoSyn (a business unit of IRL) is manufacturing sufficient amounts of MitoQ® to allow human clinical trials in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

Antipodean's CEO, Dr Ken Taylor, says GlycoSyn has played a valuable role in the drugs progress to-date.

"The technical and chemistry expertise at the GlycoSyn division of IRL is world-class. They have been involved in the development of MitoQ® for the last five years."

Phase two clinical trials are already underway and the potential impact of the drug is far-reaching - with four million people affected by Parkinson's worldwide.

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disease which has three main symptoms including tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement.

The disease is closely associated with damage caused by oxidants to the organs within the cell known as mitochondria.

MitoQ® can potentially delay disease progression by directly targeting mitochondria - the nerve cells' energy source and thereby preventing further nerve damage. Existing treatments for Parkinson's are only able to try and manage the symptoms.

For further information, please visit www.antipodeanpharma.com