Addex, DMRF partner to explore therapeutic use of dipraglurant in dystonia treatment

Dipraglurant, a novel small molecule inhibitor of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, has shown promise in the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia and dystonia in Parkinson’s disease.

Dipraglurant has also been shown to normalize the effects of the TOR1A/DYT1 dystonia mutation in the brains of mice. The objective of the collaboration is to design a detailed development plan and regulatory path as well as identifying key option leaders and patients for a Phase 2 clinical trial.

In addition, Addex recently reported on 9 January, plans to start clinical testing of the therapeutic effect of dipraglurant in patients with cervical dystonia in collaboration with Professor Dirk Dressler of The Hannover Medical School.

"The DMRF and Addex each embody spheres of expertise that complement the other very well," said DMRF President Art Kessler, who was diagnosed with dystonia as a child.

"This drug represents an important opportunity for the dystonia community to examine a potential new treatment option in collaboration with established experts in drug discovery and development."

"The collaboration with the DMRF will give Addex access to unique networks of research and clinical experts in the field of dystonia" said Sonia Poli, CSO at Addex.

"Dipraglurant has shown robust efficacy in multiple models of dystonia and we look forward to collaborating with DMRF to evaluate dipraglurant in dystonia patients."

Dystonia is a neurological disorder characterized by persistent or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements, postures, or both. The movements are usually patterned and twisting, and may resemble a tremor. Symptoms originate from an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

There are multiple forms of dystonia, and up to 100 diseases and conditions include dystonia as a prominent symptom. Dystonia may affect a single body area or be generalized throughout multiple muscle groups. Dystonia affects men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds.

Estimates suggest that no fewer than 300,000 people are affected in the United States and Canada alone. Early onset primary dystonia are rare and frequently have a genetic basis (e.g. DYT1) and can progress to affect several parts of the body. Dystonia causes varying degrees of disability and pain, from mild to severe.