AskBio Achieves Milestone in Parkinson’s Gene Therapy Trial

AskBio Inc., a subsidiary of Bayer AG, has reached a major milestone in its efforts to combat Parkinson’s disease (PD). The company announced that the first participants have been randomized in its Phase II REGENERATE-PD clinical trial, which focuses on evaluating the safety and efficacy of AB-1005, an investigational gene therapy. The trial will involve 87 participants aged 45–75 with moderate-stage PD across sites in the U.S., Germany, Poland, and the U.K. Dr. Rajesh Pahwa, the trial's principal investigator, expressed optimism, stating, This marks a significant step forward in bringing neurorestorative therapies to people living with Parkinson’s disease.

The announcement follows promising 36-month data from a Phase Ib study, which showed AB-1005 to be well tolerated with potential benefits in motor function and medication reductions for moderate PD patients. AskBio’s Chief Development Officer, Dr. Canwen Jiang, emphasized the company's dedication to addressing unmet medical needs, saying, “We’re excited by the progress of AB-1005 and committed to exploring its potential to transform treatment for Parkinson’s disease.” The company is also investigating the therapy’s potential in treating other conditions, including multiple system atrophy (MSA-P).