A New Hope for Parkinson’s Patients
Kenai Therapeutics, a San Diego-based biotechnology company, has received an $8 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
This funding will help advance their lead program, RNDP-001, a promising new treatment for idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. The grant was awarded to Dr. Howard J. Federoff, the company’s Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer.
This new therapy represents a shift in how we approach Parkinson’s. Instead of just managing symptoms, RNDP-001 aims to replace the dopamine-producing neurons that are lost to the disease. This could potentially restore motor function in patients.
Understanding RNDP-001
RNDP-001 is an allogeneic neuron replacement cell therapy. This means it uses cells from a donor to replace the damaged cells in the patient.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted it Fast Track designation, recognizing the urgent need for new Parkinson’s treatments.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Therapy Type | Allogeneic neuron replacement cell therapy |
| Target | Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease |
| Goal | Restore motor function by replacing dopamine-producing neurons |
| FDA Status | Fast Track designation |
| Current Stage | Phase 1 REPLACE™ clinical trial |
The REPLACE™ Clinical Trial
The therapy is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial called REPLACE™. This study is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of RNDP-001 in adults with moderate to severe Parkinson’s.
Researchers are looking for evidence of cell survival and new brain network function. Initial results from the 12 patients in the trial are expected later this year.
The Growing Impact of Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease affects over 10 million people worldwide, making it the second most common neurodegenerative disease.
It causes a decline in motor function, leading to symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement. Current treatments only manage these symptoms and do not stop the disease from progressing.
A Collaborative Effort
This grant from CIRM is a significant step forward for Kenai Therapeutics. “CIRM’s funding and ongoing support are instrumental as we advance RNDP-001 at this critical stage of development,” said Nick Manusos, Kenai’s CEO.
This partnership highlights the shared goal of bringing new, effective treatments to people living with Parkinson’s disease.
For more information, you can visit the websites of Kenai Therapeutics and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
