Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals progresses with Phase 2 trial of VG081821AC for Parkinson’s disease

Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals has marked a significant milestone with the completion of participant enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial for VG081821AC, a cutting-edge treatment for Parkinson’s disease. This trial, involving 150 participants, aims to explore the efficacy and safety of VG081821AC, an adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist and inverse agonist, specifically for individuals in the early-to-mid stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Innovative Approach in Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Hangzhou, China, is conducting this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The 12-week trial is designed to evaluate VG081821AC as a monotherapy, distinguishing it from traditional Parkinson’s treatments which primarily focus on dopamine replacement. Current treatments, including L-Dopa, dopamine agonists, and MAO-B inhibitors, aim to address motor symptoms by increasing or mimicking dopamine levels. However, these therapies often lead to motor complications such as wearing-off effects, ON–OFF fluctuations, and dyskinesia over time.

VG081821AC stands out due to its dual mechanism of action. As an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, it targets the adenosine signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of motor functions through basal ganglia circuits. Additionally, VG081821AC acts as an inverse agonist, potentially offering more robust therapeutic effects compared to conventional A2A antagonists. This dual action could address both symptomatic relief and potentially slow disease progression.

Potential Benefits and Clinical Implications

The innovative approach of VG081821AC could revolutionise Parkinson’s disease treatment. Traditional dopamine-based therapies only provide symptomatic relief and are associated with long-term complications. In contrast, VG081821AC’s non-dopaminergic mechanism might reduce or delay these motor complications if administered early in the disease process. Furthermore, the drug’s potential to provide disease-modifying benefits rather than just symptomatic relief represents a significant advancement in Parkinson’s research.

Sanxing Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, emphasised the trial’s potential impact: “VG081821AC is intended as a standalone treatment for improving motor functions in the early-to-mid stages of Parkinson’s disease. Its eventual combination with low doses of L-Dopa could help mitigate L-Dopa-related issues and enhance the quality of life for patients.”

Precision Medicine and Future Outlook

A notable aspect of this trial is its focus on precision medicine. The study will assess A2A receptor gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to explore potential correlations between VG081821AC’s efficacy and A2A receptor expression. This could provide valuable insights into the drug’s effectiveness and its role in personalised treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease.

The completion of this Phase 2 trial, expected in November, represents a crucial step forward for Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals. The company’s commitment to modulating adenosine signaling is evident in its research pipeline, which also includes VG290131, an A3 agonist targeting non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The results of this trial could pave the way for new treatment options and improve clinical outcomes for Parkinson’s patients.