L-DOPA is the gold-standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but up to 90% of patients eventually develop L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), characterized by involuntary, disabling movements. Current therapies, such as amantadine, provide limited benefit and introduce side effects that compromise patient outcomes. There is a pressing need for an approach that prevents or mitigates LID while preserving L-DOPA’s motor efficacy, ensuring patients maintain quality of life over the long term.
This invention repurposes vilazodone, an FDA-approved antidepressant, for the treatment of Parkinson’s dyskinesia. Vilazodone’s dual mechanism—serotonin reuptake inhibition and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonism—modulates the serotonergic signaling pathways implicated in LID. When administered alongside L-DOPA (and carbidopa if needed), vilazodone suppresses abnormal striatal gene activation driving dyskinesia while maintaining dopamine-mediated motor improvements. The therapy can be formulated as a single oral dosage, streamlining patient treatment and improving adherence.
• Reduces both onset and severity of dyskinesia more effectively than amantadine
• Maintains L-DOPA’s motor benefits while mitigating side effects
• Unique dual-action mechanism targeting serotonin reuptake and 5-HT1A receptor activity
• Accelerated clinical development pathway due to vilazodone’s existing FDA approval
• Potential for co-formulation with L-DOPA for a simplified oral therapy regimen
• Broader therapeutic potential for tardive dyskinesia and other movement disorders
• US Provisional Application 62/751,247 – Filed October 26, 2018, Converted
• PCT Application PCT/US2019/58199 – Filed October 25, 2019, Published WO 2020/087031
• US Utility Application 17/240,969 – Filed April 26, 2021, Patent No. 12,285,426, Status: Filed
• US Utility Application 17/288,822 – Filed April 26, 2021, Published US 2021-0393621 A1, Status: Filed
• European Patent Application EP19875392.3 – Filed October 25, 2019, Published EP3870292A1
Preclinical – Demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease with significant reduction in dyskinesia severity while maintaining motor performance. TRL ~3–4.
This technology is available for licensing.
Strong potential for licensing to pharmaceutical companies focused on neurology and movement disorders, particularly those developing Parkinson’s disease therapies or drug repurposing strategies.
Preclinical efficacy data, dosing studies, and mechanism of action research available upon request.