Parkinson’s UK Spins Off Biotech to Develop Possible Treatment

Parkinson’s UK is creating a company — Vivifi Biotech —to develop a treatment that has shown promise in treating Parkinson’s Disease.

The nonprofit organization previously funded a trial to investigate whether increasing the levels of the naturally occurring protein Glial Cell-Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) can regenerate dying brain cells in people with Parkinson’s, reversing their condition.

Arthur Roach, head of research at Parkinson’s UK, said that while the initial trial didn’t meet its critical endpoint, it did reveal some evidence that GDNF could possibly reverse Parkinson’s.

“The new company will bring the right people together to plan a new trial that meets the needs of patients, regulatory authorities and potential investors,” said Roach in a statement. “Most importantly, we need to ensure that all the previous trial challenges are addressed and overcome.”