Fourth research publication in collaboration with ICE Pharma and Ferrier Research Institute

We are proud to announce the publication of another scientific paper coming from the collaboration of ICE Pharma with the Ferrier Research Institute.

This paper relates to Parkinson’s Disease which is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder globally. The prevalence of this disease is increasing and there is an urgent need for new therapeutics which are disease-modifying rather than just treatment of the symptoms.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a well-documented mechanism in both sporadic and familial Parkinson’s Disease. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been identified as a bile acid which leads to increased mitochondrial function in multiple in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s Disease.

Here, we describe the synthesis of novel bile acids and their biological evaluation in fibroblasts from patients with either sporadic or LRRK2 mutant Parkinson’s Disease. These compounds boost mitochondrial function to a higher level and at lower concentrations than UDCA particularly in the fibroblasts from LRRK2 patients.

Our study indicates that novel bile acid chemistry could lead to the development of more efficacious bile acids which increase mitochondrial function and ultimately cellular health proving attractive potential novel therapeutics for Parkinson’s Disease.

We would like to thank our Chief Scientific Officer, Alex Weymouth-Wilson, and the researchers of Ferrier Institute for their amazing work.