XP21279
Parkinson's Disease

XP21279 is a Transported Prodrug of levodopa, or L-Dopa, one of the most effective therapies for reducing symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, particularly in patients with severe Parkinson's disease. In spite of some improvements in L-Dopa therapy through co-administration of drugs designed to slow L-Dopa metabolism, L-Dopa therapy remains suboptimal due to fluctuations in L-Dopa blood concentrations between doses. To date, a satisfactory sustained-release formulation of L-Dopa has not been possible due to poor colonic absorption.

XP21279 is designed to engage natural nutrient transport mechanisms located throughout the length of the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract, and then be rapidly converted to L-Dopa by the body's endogenous enzymes. In addition to L-Dopa, the metabolic breakdown products of XP21279 are substances with favorable safety characteristics. Because XP21279 is designed to be well absorbed from the lower GI tract, we believe it can be formulated for sustained release, thus reducing fluctuations of L-Dopa levels in the bloodstream.

We are currently conducting preclinical studies with XP21279 as a potential product candidate to improve therapy to patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, a disabling and progressive illness that afflicts 1% of the U.S. population aged 65 and older.